Ray Hickson
Trainer David Payne would consider a win by Bangkok Hottie in her first preparation a bonus that’s 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 2¾ lengths behind Blue Door.
It was a debut that wasn’t Plan A – 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.
“It was a very good run, I said to the owner she wouldn’t disgrace herself and I was very pleased with her, ” Payne said.
“I wanted to run at Gosford but she drew badly there, so we said we’d give her the experience on the bigger track.
“I’m sure she should have improved and that 100m extra will suit.”
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.
He’d expect Zac Lloyd will be able to make use of a kinder barrier and put her into the race.
“I wanted her to go back the other day to teach her, ” he said.
“She’s got speed, but I wanted to get cover to teach her to settle because she’s going to get a mile later on for sure.
“You don’t want to start hunting them up, then you’ve got to teach them to come back.
“If she could win, it’d be nice to put her out, give her a break and bring her back later. She looks a progressive type, I’ve always had an opinion of her so we’re hoping.”
Trial watchers wouldn’t 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 he’s confident kicking off at the mile is in his favour.
“It wasn’t a bad trial, we didn’t want him to be knocked about, ” he said.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au
