News

Payne regrets missing out on Sousa

9th Apr 2009

Sydney Morning Herald - Craig Young - Friday, 9 April 2009

TRAINER David Payne fears the one that got away as he attempts to win the AJC Australian Derby over 2400metres at Randwick on Saturday.

Payne, a two-time winner of the major derby in his native South Africa, will start Montjeu stayers Naval Escort and Buccaneers Prize in Saturday's group 1 race.

But the one he believes is the major player in the derby is a horse which eluded him, favourite Sousa, the Peter Snowden-trained three-year-old which won the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes on a bog track at Randwick last October.

"I was sent to the sales to buy a horse for the derby and my first choice was Sousa," Payne said on Wednesday, shortly after trackwork at Rosehill. "I couldn't get him because Bob Ingham bought him, and my second choice was Buccaneers Prize."

Australian owners Brian Ireland and Scott Murray commissioned Payne to buy a derby horse and Buccaneers Prize was purchased for $220,000. The three-year-old heads into the derby off a maiden win over 2300m at Newcastle.

"He is going to be a nice staying horse later and he will get Saturday's trip being by Montjeu," Payne said.

The Kiwi derby raiders Harris Tweed and Old Jock, which finished first and third respectively in last Saturday's Tulloch Stakes, are by the same sire.

Harris Tweed's trainer Murray Baker, who is in partnership with son Bjorn, won the derby last year with another Montjeu horse, Nom Du Jeu.

"I've got two in the race and both will stay all day," Payne assured. "They are definitely going to get the trip. Naval Escort may not have the class yet but the further the better."

Payne described the derby as an "even race".

Second favourite Metal Bender is chasing the coveted triple crown having won the Randwick and Rosehill guineas at its past two starts.

Last time out Metal Bender gunned down Sousa and Rock Kingdom was a close-up third. The latter could give champion trainer Gai Waterhouse a first derby at headquarters.

"Sousa we know stays so I think he is going to be the one to beat," Payne said. "A lot of the other ones are not going to see the trip out and Sousa is going to make sure they don't see it out.

"He is going to put the pace on and as I said I know mine will stay."

Payne will start a refreshed Hurried Choice in the group 1 Galaxy along with Hairy.

"It is a tough field and there is going to be plenty of speed," he said. "The wide draw doesn't help Hurried Choice but I know she will hit the line and I expect Hairy to also run well fresh."

Heading The Galaxy weights is Sunshine Coast trainer Mick Mair's Oakleigh Plate winner and Newmarket runner-up Swiss Ace.

Hurried Choice has not raced since finishing ninth behind Tuesday Joy in the group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes over 1600m at Randwick last month. "I have freshened her up," Payne said. "She had 10 days in the paddock and has been back in work for three weeks.

"She is well weighted with 52 [kilograms] and I'm hoping Chris Munce can ride, he will suit her."

Munce is also booked for second emergency Fantene.

Payne will saddle up Sydney Cup-bound Lang and Kettledrum in the Chairman's Handicap.