One gamble has already paid off with Dowdstown Charlie and connections will aim to double up at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer David Payne convinced his fellow owners to geld the two-year-old in April and Dowdstown Charlie rewarded them with a maiden victory at Randwick last Saturday week at his seventh start.
Dowdstown Charlie - Photo by Steve Hart
That win has prompted a trip to Brisbane for the JJ Atkins (1600m), the final chance for two-year-olds to gain a Group One victory in Australia this season.
“We decided roll the dice,” Payne said.
“He came through his last race so well we thought we would give him a chance at the Group One. And if it’s wet, that brings him into the race.
“We will give him a break in Queensland after Saturday so he can have a spell with the sun on his back and come back for the spring.”
Dowdstown Charlie showed his potential with a debut third in February behind subsequent stakes winners Everage and Twilight Royale.
Like in his Randwick win, his first start was on a heavy track.
Christian Reith has secured the ride on Dowdstown Charlie and will also be aboard Laser Flash, one of two Payne-trained hopes in the Queensland Derby (2400m) with Michael Rodd to partner Honorius.
Laser Flash has won two 1900m races at Canterbury and was an unlucky close-up third over the same distance at Rosehill last month.
Honorius has also won two races but his placings include a Group One third behind It’s A Dundeel in the Spring Champion Stakes and a third to leading Derby contender Hawkspur in the Grand Prix at Eagle Farm.
A $500,000 yearling, Laser Flash is owned by South African businessman Marcus Jooste while Honorius is raced by a group headed by his breeder, Kia Ora Stud.
“Honorius is a little bit more classy as his record shows,” Payne said.
“But I don’t think either one will have any problems with the distance.”
Zoustar is a $13 chance in the JJ Atkins while Honorius and Laser Flash are at $10 and $23 respectively in the Derby.
