Ray Hickson
Trainer David Payne would consider a win by Bangkok Hottie in her first preparation a bonus thatโs more than achievable at Warwick Farm today after what he describes as an educational debut in Group company.
The filly stepped out in the Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) on day one of The Championships and pleased her trainer as she ran into fifth, about 2ยพ lengths behind Blue Door.
It was a debut that wasnโt Plan A โ she was scratched from a Gosford race a few days earlier due to a wide barrier there and Payne decided to give her a smooth experience for her first start.
โIt was a very good run, I said to the owner she wouldnโt disgrace herself and I was very pleased with her, โ Payne said.
โI wanted to run at Gosford but she drew badly there, so we said weโd give her the experience on the bigger track.
โIโm sure she should have improved and that 100m extra will suit.โ
Bangkok Hottie comes back to a midweek maiden in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m), where Payne hopes the lessons she learned at Randwick can be put into action.
Heโd expect Zac Lloyd will be able to make use of a kinder barrier and put her into the race.
โI wanted her to go back the other day to teach her, โ he said.
โSheโs got speed, but I wanted to get cover to teach her to settle because sheโs going to get a mile later on for sure.
โYou donโt want to start hunting them up, then youโve got to teach them to come back.
โIf she could win, itโd be nice to put her out, give her a break and bring her back later. She looks a progressive type, Iโve always had an opinion of her so weโre hoping.โ
Trial watchers wouldnโt have loved the hit-out by Hereward before his first-up assignment in the Headwater @ Vinery Handicap (1600m) but Payne warns not to read a lot into it.
Payne said it was more or less by design and heโs confident kicking off at the mile is in his favour.
โIt wasnโt a bad trial, we didnโt want him to be knocked about, โ he said.
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