David Payne on weather watch with Hawkesbury hopefuls
David Payne is one of many trainers keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of the stand-alone meeting at Hawkesbury and he is keen for the rain to stay away.
Payne has promising filly Trafalgar Square readied for the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) along with State Of America for the Midway Handicap (1500m), while Agita can stake his Queensland Derby claims in the Blakes Marine Handicap (1800m).
While track conditions aren’t a concern for State Of America, the trainer’s other pair has shown a dislike for wet ground and Payne is unlikely to run them if the track is heavy.
“I’m just hoping it’s not too wet,” Payne said.
“They’re predicting a lot of rain and Trafalgar Square didn’t handle it at Randwick in the Group Three (Kindergarten Stakes). She looked like she was going to be competitive and then died on her run, I don’t think she enjoyed the going.
“I don’t think Agita will enjoy a wet track either, so it all depends on the weather.”
Hawkesbury remained in the good range on Thursday and weather forecasts were wide-ranging, the Bureau Of Meteorology predicting between two and 10 mm of rain to fall on Friday and anywhere from three to 25 mm on Saturday.
If conditions do hold Payne is confident Trafalgar Square, an impressive last start winner at Canterbury, can give him a second Clarendon Stakes following the success of Gleneagles in 2021.
The filly has raced four times for a win and a placing, but Payne says we haven’t seen the best of her due to a couple of setbacks, including a virus she suffered after her debut sixth in the Golden Gift last year.
“She got a virus and I put her out and brought her back, and then she got another one,” he said.
“We ended up wasting a lot of time with her, but she is a smart filly.”
Trafalgar Square will be spelled after Saturday with a view to the Princess Series races in the spring.
If she can capture the Clarendon Stakes, she will join a handy roll call of winners that includes Group 1 performers Zoustar (2013) and Zardozi (2023).
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...