David Payne has another smart galloper on his hands in Randwick winner Bangkok Hottie.
With a limited stable of sixteen horses, David Payne may have found his next Group 1 winner in Bangkok Hottie, who has defeated a strong field of fillies to win the Furious Stakes at Randwick.
The three-year-old, starting at $8.50, showed surprising early speed to settle outside the leader and Silver Shadow Stakes heroine Pembrey. She then surged to the front in the straight, holding out Rosebud winner Chilly Girl ($4) by a half-length.
Former Perth filly Striking Alibi ($21) came home strongly from the back to grab third place, another neck behind, in a promising Sydney debut.
Payne stated that he spoke with jockey Kerrin McEvoy before the race about having Bangkok Hottie positioned closer to the speed. This was a change from her previous run, where she gave away too much ground when finishing second to Pembrey in the first leg of the Princess Series. He plans to revert to riding her more conservatively when she steps out in trip at her next start.
“We gave them a lot of start the other day and I said to Kerrin, ‘have her a bit handier today. We don’t want her in front, but a bit handier.’ He was just worried about getting her some cover,” Payne said.
Bangkok Hottie demonstrated her versatility to get the job done, and Payne confirmed she is now set for the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) in a fortnight, and if all goes well, the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) two weeks after that.
“She goes 14 (1400m in the Tea Rose Stakes) and then the Flight. We will be riding her a bit differently,” he said.
“She is fit now. She’s ready. I just hope all goes well.”
The winner’s stablemate Krasina also turned in an eye-catching performance to finish fourth, and Payne will consider if she will join Bangkok Hottie in the Tea Rose Stakes.
“I’ll see what the jockey says. We might. Why not?” Payne said.
“But she has been up a long time.”
Pembrey, the $2 favourite, tired in the run to finish sixth. Jockey Tommy Berry commented that the mare might be better suited with her runs spaced further apart.
“She raced very flat today,” Berry said.
“The two week back-up obviously isn’t her go. I doubt you will be seeing her on the back-up again.”
Consider the available betting markets for the upcoming races.
