David Payne has never doubted the ability of Obvious Step, but her racing manners have been a constant source of frustration.
She showed enough to be tested in black-type grade as a three-year-old and wasn’t disgraced when beaten two lengths by subsequent Group 1 winner Forbidden Love in last year’s Reginald Allen Stakes.
But her tendency to do things wrong in her races means she has managed just two wins from 14 starts.
Now a four-year-old mare, Obvious Step is displaying a more relaxed temperament around the stable and Payne is hoping that transfers to race day when she resumes in Saturday’s Midway Handicap (1300m) at Kembla Grange.
“She’s her own worst enemy. She misses the break and gets too far back but she has got ability,” Payne said.
“She’s a little bit stronger now and a bit more settled. Hopefully she can be a bit more tractable in her races.
“She races well fresh so we’re expecting a good run.”
Obvious Step was stretched to 2000m in the autumn but didn’t see out the journey when well beaten by Duais in the Adrian Knox Stakes.
She will be kept to shorter distances this preparation with Payne hoping she can go through her grades.
The mare will be partnered by Sam Clipperton and is a $23 chance for her first-up assignment.
