Cover image: Home By Midnight (NZ) winning the Listed Feilding Gold Cup
By Bren O'Brien
Patrick Payne continues to press his claims as Australia's most versatile trainer, masterminding the victory of former New Zealand stayer Home By Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) in Wednesday's G3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.
Just two weeks after claiming the $1 million Inglis Sprint with Rubisaki (Rubick) at Warwick Farm, Payne was able to coax a first Australian win, and fourth stakes win overall from the 7-year-old gelding, who relished the soft track and circled the field to win by 2.25l in comfortable fashion.
Jockey Billy Egan, who has formed a great partnership with Payne, sat back off the pace set by Taikomochi (Snitzel), and the pair travelled sweetly through the run. Egan made his move out wide at the top of the straight as the race looked to change complexion, and with in a matter of strides it was clear that nobody else but the ex-pat Kiwi was going to claim the $150,000 first prize.
“The shades went on today so he just positioned up a lot easier without much work needed," Egan said. “It was such a team effort really, I'm proud of stable rider Tahlia (Hope) for what she’s done with the horse."
“The shades went on today so he just positioned up a lot easier without much work needed." - Billy Egan
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Taikomochi boxed on well for second, while the Richard Laming-trained Dogmatic (Domesday) was another 2.5l away third, completing an interstate trained trifecta, in contrast to the Hobart Cup which was dominated by the locals.
The pre-race favourite, the G3 Hobart Cup winner Toorak Affair (Toorak Toff), weakened to finish sixth after looming as a possible winner before the home turn.
Home By Midnight, racing as Five To Midnight, won nine races for Lisa Latta back in New Zealand including a G2 Waikato Gold Cup, G3 Hawkes Bay Gold Cup and Listed Feilding Gold Cup before joining Payne's stable last May.
Home By Midnight (NZ)
He had been winless in 10 starts for his new trainer before Wednesday.
"When we went past me the first time, I said to my wife, Billy has got him in the perfect spot," stable representative Joe O'Neill said. "I thought if the horse was good enough he'd win the race.
"Patrick is just over the moon and as are the owners in New Zealand. They'll be thrilled with this."
Filly flies for first stakes win
Deroche (Needs Further) confirmed her status as one of the top fillies in Tasmania, beating the older mares in the G3 Armidale Stud Vamos S.
On the quick back-up from Sunday's win in the Magic Millions Tasmanian 3YO & 4YO Classic, the Leanne Gaffney-trained 3-year-old had too much class on her rivals, defeating Victorian mare Miss Mandito (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) by 1l with Jentico (Written Tycoon) in third.
It was a first stakes win for Deroche, despite it being her ninth win from 13 starts and Star Thoroughbreds' Denise Martin said afterwards that she would go for a deserved rest.
"I've been very privileged to be involved with my owners in some very good horses to win those big races in Sydney, but when I come here and they are my own, I get so anxious," Martin, who was born and raised in northern Tasmania said.
"She'll spell after today and the owners will too, but she's very exciting."
Hellova finish between Brunton stablemates
Earlier, Hellova Street (Helike {USA}) was denied a fourth straight win in the Listed Mowbray S. by his stablemate Mandela Effect (Turffontein).
Mandela Effect was expected to dominate the race having easily won the Listed Steve's Liquor Thomas Lyons S. at Hobart earlier this month, but jockey Craig Newitt was forced to endure a nail-biting time trying to get the 5-year-old through a gap behind his stablemate in the straight before he launched late to win a thrilling race by 0.2l, with Zatacla (Al Maher) in third.
Brunton confirmed afterwards that Mandela Effect would have a deserved break and not try and get a run in the All-Star Mile at Flemington next month.
