Warwick Farm preview: David Payne backs Kindergarten Stakes eye-catcher to convert strong debut into maiden win

The two-year-old was sent out at $81 and despite racing three and four-wide, showed great fight to finish a 2-¾ length fifth behind Blue Door and The Next Episode in the Group 3 feature at Randwick on April 4.

“It was a good run first-up so she should have improved off that,” said Payne.

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“She was caught out wide but she finished off well. It was a good educational run for her.

“She has always shown us that she has nice ability.

“I would have preferred to have run her at Gosford first-up (two days earlier) but she drew badly.

“She needed the experience so we thought we would go to the Kindergarten.

“We thought she would run well so it was not surprise to us that she run well.”

Bangkok Hottie will appreciate the drop back to a fillies only maiden in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m) where she has drawn barrier 4 with Zac Lloyd to ride.

“This is a good test for her. She is well and she will be competitive,” he said.

“She has a nice barrier and Zac will ride her so she has a few ticks but you never know what is among those unraced horses so we’ll see.

“She will most probably go out after this and we would love to get a win with her if possible.”

Payne’s other runner for the day is Hereward who resumes in the Headwater @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1600m) with Chad Schofield aboard from gate 2.

The gelding had raced with good consistency finishing in the top four in his first six starts including back-to-back wins at Randwick and Rosehill before failing at Rosehill on January 17 and going for a spell.

“He’s a bit of head case with his problems. He’s a very anxious horse and you always have to worry about how he travels and how he when he gets to the racecourse,” Payne said.

“He disappointed at Rosehill at his last start. I think he just got himself into a state. He was very anxious that day.

“He will need the run coming off that break but this will just top him off nicely and help get him to his peak.”

Originally published as Warwick Farm preview: David Payne backs Kindergarten Stakes eye-catcher to convert strong debut into maiden win