Patrick and Michelle Payne have set their sights on Tasmania with stable stalwarts Bold Soul and Jimmy The Bear next month.
After encouraging efforts at Flemington last Saturday, the Hobart and Launceston Cup are on the agenda for Bold Soul, while Jimmy The Bear will run in the Thomas Lyons Stakes at Hobart on February 8 before also heading to Launceston.
“We have had a bit of success over there and those horses are definitely going. We could add a couple more in the next couple of weeks, depending on results,” Patrick Payne said.
“It has (been) a great carnival for us and they prepare perfect tracks over there in the middle of summer with plenty of give in them, which helps.”
“Bold Soul won a Tasmanian Derby and the Cups are good races for him at the right trip.”
Bold Soul found the line hard to run fourth behind Saint George at Flemington as he builds up in trip.
Jimmy The Bear finished third to Merrigold in the Gold Reef under the massive impost of 61kg, and his place in the ratings makes a trip attractive.
“The races in Tassie suit Jimmy The Bear because they are at weight-for-age and over 1400m, where he is a bit more comfortable,” Payne said.
“We will send them over a few days before the Cup day and then they will stay there until the Launceston Cup.”
The Tasmanian carnival is expected to have several visitors from the mainland, but Danny O’Brien will keep three-year-old Our Chief in Melbourne to chase VOBIS races, rather than the Tasmanian Derby.
