![Bangkok Hottie and Kerrin McEvoy take out the Furious Stakes at Randwick, putting the filly on a path towards the Group 1 Flight Stakes. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2355268.jpg)
He only has sixteen horses in work, but David Payne might have found his next Group 1 winner in Bangkok Hottie, who has accounted for a smart field of fillies to capture the Furious Stakes at Randwick.
The three-year-old started $8.50 and showed surprising speed from the gates to land outside leader and Silver Shadow Stakes heroine Pembrey before surging to the front in the straight and holding out Rosebud winner Chilly Girl ($4) by a half-length.
Former Perth filly Striking Alibi ($21) flashed home from the back to grab third, another neck away in a promising Sydney debut.
Payne said he spoke to jockey Kerrin Mcevoy pre-race about having Bangkok Hottie closer to the speed after she gave away too much start when runner-up to Pembrey in the opening leg of the Princess Series, but would revert to having her ridden more conservatively once she stepped out in trip at her next run.
Bangkok Hottie turns up the heat to take the G2 Furious Stakes for @KPMcEvoy and @DPayneRacing! 🔥@aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/HSiGIbLjXR
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 5, 2026
“We gave them a lot of start the other day and I said to Kerrin, ‘have her a bit handier today. We don’t want her in front, but a bit handier.’ He was just worried about getting her some cover,” Payne said.
Bangkok Hottie showed her versatility to get the job done, and Payne confirmed she would now head to the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) in a fortnight and all being well, the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) two weeks after that.
“She goes 14 (1400m in the Tea Rose Stakes) and then the Flight. We will be riding her a bit differently,” he said.
“She is fit now. She’s ready. I just hope all goes well.”
The winner’s stablemate Krasina also turned in an eye-catching performance to finish fourth, and Payne will weigh-up whether she joins Bangkok Hottie in the Tea Rose Stakes.
“I’ll see what the jockey says. We might. Why not?” Payne said.
“But she has been up a long time.”
Pembrey started a well-supported $2 favourite but tired to finish sixth, jockey Tommy Berry saying she might be better with her runs spaced.
“She raced very flat today,” Berry said.
“The two week back-up obviously isn’t her go. I doubt you will be seeing her on the back-up again.”
