The maestro David Payne, trainer of one of Sydney’s most talented two-year-olds Bangkok Hottie, warned punters not to overlook the chances of Gold Globe and Proxima Dea in the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Gold Globe, unplaced in each of his four starts, and debutante Proxima Dea, are two of the outsiders at $14 and $26 respectively for the last season two-year-old race behind the Kris Lees-trained Rumdabar at $3.80.
But Payne expects his under-rated stable duo to be very competitive with a slight leaning to Gold Globe, who is resuming after two recent barrier trials.
“I’d probably have Gold Globe just in front of the filly because he has had the race experience,” Payne said.
“His form is actually quite good and he should have run second to Southend at Newcastle last start. Southend then came out and won a stakes race (Group 3 Baillieu Handicap).”
Payne has a good opinion of Proxima Dea and believes she’s a promising staying filly in the making.
“Proxima Dea is a full sister to an Oaks winner (Gypsy Goddess, 2022 Queensland Oaks),” Payne revealed.
“She’s a nice, long-striding filly so going to 1400m at Randwick on debut should suit her.
“I think she has good ability and I expect her to go close. She’s one to watch.”
Payne also revealed Bangkok Hottie, brilliant winner of two of her three starts earlier in the season, has been back in his Rosehill stables has spelled well over winter and has been back in work for nearly a month.
“She looks very well,” Payne said. “The filly has made the natural improvement you would expect during her break and it will be exciting to see what she can do in the spring.”
Bangkok Hottie closed her two-year-old season with impressive wins at Warwick Farm and Randwick, displaying brilliant acceleration both times.
“She looks to have a lot of ability,” Payne said.”I’ll have her ready to trial later this month and the plan is to set her for the Princess Series starting with the Silver Shadow Stakes.
“I hope to get her to the Flight Stakes in the spring as she is bred to run a 1600m. We are teaching her to settle by following other horses in her trackwork and once she learns to switch off early, I’m sure she will run a strong 1600m.”
