After a successful three-year-old season that netted seven victories, Wings Of Song is set for her racing return at Cranbourne.
The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained mare returns in the Rosemont Stud Pendant (1400m) on Saturday, her first outing since April and her first for the brother and sister training team.
Wings Of Song had a successful three-year-old season for Patrick Payne, going from a Swan Hill maiden success to winning twice at Listed level in Tasmania before taking out the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on April 13.
The campaign was wound up after Wings Of Song finished fourth in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) two weeks later.
Michelle Payne said the decision was made to give Wings Of Song an extended break after a 13-start campaign that saw her commence racing in July going all the way through to April.
“She had a really good campaign through the summer and the autumn in Tassie and Adelaide and did a lot of travelling,” Payne said.
“Patrick just wanted to give her a good break and it’s just worked out that this is the right time to come back.
“She looks great, and she obviously needs to come on from her three-year-old preparation, but she looks really good.
“She’s had some nice trials to ground her for this, and we’re looking forward to her return.”
Payne said her brother had done a tremendous job of placing Wings Of Song to get the most from the filly, adding she has matured into a lovely mare.
“She did an excellent job last time,” Payne said.
“She’s a lovely mare now that helps herself and is really easy to deal with, one that puts herself into a nice position in the race and relaxes.
“She does everything right, which obviously, especially as a three-year-old, takes you a long way as well, but I think she looks like she’s matured nicely into a lovely four-year-old, so hopefully she’ll take that next step.”
Payne said there was no definitive plans for Wings Of Song and that the stable would be guided by her performance on Saturday.
“I’m not sure of the plan exactly, but we’ll know a lot more after Saturday,” Payne said.
