David Payne has reinforced his support for juvenile distance races with two runners in Monday’s 1800m race at Randwick.
The Rosehill trainer said such races were not uncommon in his native South Africa and he was pleased with Racing NSW’s initiative to introduce them in Sydney.
De La Lago is a scratching with Payne to be represented by Chez Harmony and Daruna.
Chez Harmony finished second to stablemate Honorius in the first 1800m race for two-year-olds on May 12 at Rosehill.
Payne has earmarked the Victoria Derby as a target for Honorius and is eyeing the Victorian Oaks for Chez Harmony.
“These horses are bred to be stayers and long term we want to race them in the big races so we need to support races like this,” Payne said.
“Everybody cries about the lack of staying races. There is a mindset here to race over 1000 and 1200 metres.
“I don’t understand why more trainers are not entering their horses for these longer races.
“There are similar races all around the world that are well-patronised yet many here don’t want to participate in the longer events.”
The race is part of Racing NSW’s initiative to provide more options for emerging two and three-year-old stayers leading up to the BOBS Significant Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on June 30.
That race carries a $40,000 BOBS bonus to the winner, double the usual bonus.
Other lead-up races for two-year-olds are over 1500m at Rosehill on June 16 and 1600m at Newcastle a week later. Three-year-olds have a Benchmark 80 (1500m) at the Rosehill meeting and a Benchmark 75 (1850m) at Newcastle.
“The trainers told us they’d like to see middle-distance races at the higher end towards the close of the season for young horses that show staying potential,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.
“We agreed that there is a need for a race like the BOBS Significant Stakes so by doubling the usual BOBS bonus, were making it even more attractive.”
