Small fish sweet pickings for David Payne

With Sydney’s best horses in the paddock and a ten-race card of exclusively benchmark events, David Payne is hoping to make the most of some off-season opportunities at Rosehill.

The decorated trainer only has a small team in work these days, but he will have four runners at his home track on Saturday and regards all as each-way chances.

Two of them, Bazooka and Mahagoni, will go head-to-head in the Furphy Handicap (1500m) and while Payne would rather they didn’t have to clash, he sees the race as a suitable assignment for both horses.

“I’d prefer not to run them against each other but what do you do? They’ve got to run and it’s the right race for them,” Payne said.

“There is a hot horse in the race, Kibou, and I think that will be the one to beat but mine will both run well.”

Bazooka has turned in eye-catching runs at both starts from a spell, finishing third to Cotehele at Rosehill first-up and again running on for fourth to Democracy Manifest last start.

Mahagoni lumped 60.5kg when failing to beat a rival home on resumption at Randwick but drops significantly in weight to 55.5kg on Saturday and has been competitive in similar grade in the past.

“He got too far back last start with 60-odd kilos, but if you go on his previous form he comes into the race for sure,” Payne said.

Sweet Mercy should appreciate a smaller field in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1400m) after cruelling her chances last time out when she missed the start and left herself too much to do.

She was a winner over the course and distance in May and Payne is confident she can rebound.

“I had two in the race last time, they drew one and two and they missed the jump and ended up second last and last. There were eighteen runners so you’re not going to make it up,” Payne said.

“She likes the track and 1400 is ideal for her.

“She has just got to be ridden quiet, she’s not a filly you can hunt up or she doesn’t finish off.”

With Allasandra scratched after drawing wide, Tympanist will round out Payne’s team in the TAB Handicap (1800m) and while he doesn’t win out of turn, Payne says the gelding’s recent form is better than it appears on paper.

“He’s one of those horses, you’ve got to catch him on his day,” he said.

“He has been a bit unlucky. He hasn’t been able to get clear running, not so much last start but the previous two he was held up and it cost him.

“The softer going will suit him as well.”