Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Zed Em has given trainer Patrick Payne a fourth victory in Australia's toughest race

Zed Em has given trainer Patrick Payne a fourth victory in Australia’s toughest race, the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool.

The win turned around his narrow defeat 12 months earlier when Zed Em was beaten by Gold Medals who fought bravely on Thursday to finish second, three lengths astern of the Steven Pateman-ridden gelding who lumped 70kg over the 5500m.

Payne first won the Grand Annual in 2012 with Awakening Dream before scoring with Chapparo (2014) and No Song No Supper (2016).

“I thought Gold Medals might get us at the top of the straight,” Payne said.

“Someone said to me you’re home, but I wasn’t as confident.

“I thought that was the kiss of death.”

A former champion jockey, Payne says he gets more satisfaction from training, especially jumpers that require time and patience.

“You’re so much more involved,” Payne said.

“You get pretty close to these horses and it’s heart wrenching stuff watching them go around.

“One of the new staff members asked one day what’s the matter with Paddy and a senior staff member said the Annual’s coming up, you’re better off keeping out of his way.”

Zed Em did his early preparation work in New Zealand with Kevin Myers, arriving in Australia in March to win the Von Doussa Steeplechase and Great Eastern Steeplechase double at Oakbank.

Thursday’s victory was Zed Em’s 13th over jumps from 20 starts but Payne is reluctant to say he is the best jumper he has trained.

“I think Sea King is better but this horse is just so sweet at a fence,” Payne said.

Despite having Zed Em on the speed and leading over the final fence, Pateman was not confident of success until he crossed the line.

“Last year we got swamped in the last 100 metres and I was done,” Pateman said.

Pateman was later fined $750 for striking Zed Em in consecutive strides in the final 100m of the race.

Symon Wilde, trainer of the runner-up Gold Medals, could not have been prouder of last year’s winner with his second placing.

“He’s run out of his skin,” Wilde said.

“At the last when he put in the big jump I thought we were a chance, but in the last 100 metres I could see he’d had enough.”

Nine of the 10 runners completed the course with early leader Newbury being retired with four fences remaining.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au