Trainer David Payne had 200,000 reasons to head north with Latin News and is confident his reconnaissance mission for next month’s Magic Millions Cup will be successful at Doomben.
Latin News, a Glen Colless mount, arrived safely in Brisbane on Friday for Saturday’s Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m).
The five-year-old was also accepted for the $70,000 De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill but the greater prize money at Doomben was the deciding factor to start in Brisbane.
“It’s a hard field but you’ve got to take your chances when it’s worth $200,000” Payne said.
Payne plans to return Latin News to his Rosehill stable immediately after the George Moore Stakes, the first leg of the Doomben Summer Series.
“He’s going straight home after this race but we’ll be back for the Magic Millions Cup,” Payne said.
The $400,000 Magic Millions Cup (1400m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 14.
Latin News has only been in Payne’s care for two starts after he was bought by a syndicate headed by Australian Bloodstock’s Luke Murrell.
“He’d been very unsound all his career with Bart (Cummings) and was sold by his previous owners,” he said.
“I haven’t had a problem with him so far.”
A winner of three of his 20 starts, Latin News finished a close second in his debut for Payne at Rosehill on October 11 before dead-heating with Tiger Tees when runner-up to Atomic Force in an 1100m welter at Canterbury on November 26.
His last appearance was the first time Latin News had been placed in three starts on a heavy track.
Fine weather enabled Doomben to be upgraded to slow on Friday but rain has been forecast for race day.
Payne would prefer firm footing for Latin News but a wet track hasn’t dulled his confidence.
“He can handle wet tracks and he’ll be very competitive,” Payne said.
“He should have won his first start for me and he probably needed the run when he has beaten in a bob-of-the-head finish last start.
“I probably went a little too easy on him after his first run.”
Trainer Andrew Williamson is hoping the rain stays away for Ready To Rip following his eye-catching sixth to Listen Son in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm last month.
“The track was heavy yesterday but I’d love a slow track,” Williamson said.
“He and Essington were the two best runs in the Keith Noud which was run very slow for the first 600 metres.
“Jason Taylor got going early on Essington that day while Ryan Wiggins preferred to balance up my bloke.
“He’s terrific and I think he’ll be hard to beat. I’m getting sick of making excuses.”
Jim Byrne has the mount on Ready To Rip in the George Moore Stakes.
AAP TURF
