Fresh from Colesberg’s giant-killing debut, trainer David Payne is set to unveil the stable’s latest talented juvenile Momentum To Win.
Colesberg upset well-supported favourite Single Bullet at Warwick Farm on Saturday, prompting Payne to earmark the colt as a Group One Champagne Stakes prospect.
Stablemate Ace High is also on the road to that race after an impressive runner-up finish behind Champagne Cuddles in the Pierro Plate on October 29.
Payne believes Momentum To Win. like his stablemates, will be a better horse over a distance longer than the 1100m two-year-old race at Randwick on Saturday.
“He would appreciate a bit further but he can kick off there and I’m expecting him to run a nice race,” Payne said.
While Payne is looking for Momentum To Win to be running on late, the colt has comparable talent to his most recent juvenile winner.
“He wouldn’t be too far off Colesberg I would think,” Payne said.
With the attention on the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Saturday’s race at Randwick has attracted a field of five.
Momentum To Win will be joined in the race by fellow debutants Menari, from the Gerald Ryan stable, and the Hawkes Racing-trained Newburgh.
Of the pair with race experience, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Taking Aim finished third on debut at Gosford on December 29 while Godolphin colt Piracy has spelled since beating one runner home in the Listed Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on October 1.
Momentum To Win, a $100,000 yearling, is set to be the fourth runner for American stallion Animal Kingdom who won the 2011 Kentucky Derby and the 2013 Dubai World Cup.
“They’re horses you’re going to have to give a bit of time to,” Payne said.
“They’re not going to be early types.”
The colt has trialled four times since September, putting in his best run when third over 900m at Rosehill on December 30.
