By Ray Hickson
Trainer David Payne believes he has some quality among his two-year-olds this season and is hoping unraced filly Jemss can prove herself worthy of a Magic Millions campaign with a debut win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
It’s a good thing too that Payne says he has some nice youngsters in his stable because they currently comprise nine of his 20 horses in work.
Payne admits Jemss took him a little by surprise when she ran a close third behind Dame Giselle and Tilia Rose – both feature race winners since – in a Rosehill trial a month ago.
It prompted him to accept for the $1 million Golden Gift, won by Dame Giselle, but the filly was stranded as an emergency and didn’t gain a start so, after a trial win in good time last week, she’ll debut in the Agency Real Estate Plate (1100m).
“She seems to have a bit of quality about her, I always fancied her as a lovely filly but she wasn't ready early,’’ he said.
“When we trialled her I thought she's better than we think so let's put her in the (Golden Gift) but she didn’t have any prizemoney so didn't get in.
“She's got better and better with each week.’’
Jemss wins a trial at Rosehill on November 14
The Exosphere filly cost $60,000 and is one of three youngsters from the Payne stable contesting the opener at Rosehill – the other duo are colts Bazooka and Genjiro.
Jemss’ trial form has earned her market respect as second favourite at $3 with TAB and Payne is expecting her to run up to her trials.
“I think she will be competitive, if she does run well we will look to qualify her (for the Magic Millions),’’ he said.
“She's more forward than the other two, but it's a competitive field and there are some nice horses in there so we have to go test the waters.’’
Payne, still on a high after a trip back to South Africa to watch the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup, is a little more reserved when talking about Bazooka ($26) and Genjiro ($15).
The two colts contested the same trial at Rosehill last week with Genjiro running second and Bazooka at the tail behind the Chris Waller-trained Volterra, who also lines up against them on Wednesday.
“Bazooka was a late foal, he's a nice type of horse too but it might be a bit soon for him,’’ he said.
“Genjiro is a nice horse, not a big horse but is a nice type and he trialled well.’’
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Rosehill meeting