Payne plots spring path for promising Persian Wonder

David Payne will focus on the early season three-year-old features with Baillieu placegetter Persian Wonder, starting with the Up And Coming Stakes at Rosehill.

The decorated trainer confirmed he would nominate the gelding for next Saturday’s Group 3 Rosehill feature with the intention of running, pending the make-up of the final field and barrier draw.

“We’ll put him in and have a look at it,” Payne said.

“He’s had the two runs, so he will be pretty fit. He’s getting stronger all the time.”

An eye-catching fourth behind Warwoven in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) in March, Persian Wonder backed it up with a solid second to Southend in the Group 3 Baillieu (1400m).

He was spelled after finishing down the track in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in April, but showed he had returned in good order with a gritty maiden win at Canterbury in July.

Stepped up to Saturday company against older horses, Persian Wonder carried equal topweight and turned in a game effort to be beaten two lengths by Avista.

With several horses likely to be resuming in the Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) on Saturday, Payne is hoping Persian Wonder’s fitness edge will be advantageous, albeit the horse’s main goal will be the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) a fortnight later.

“He ran here in a rating race last start and went well. He finished just behind them with top weight,” Payne said.

“I think 1400 will be his best distance.

“We’ll look at the Up And Coming and then the Ming Dynasty. Those two will be his main targets because I don’t want to take the big boys on.”

The Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) is one of two black-type races at Rosehill, along with the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) which is expected to feature the return of Golden Slipper winner Guest House.

Payne’s promising filly Bangkok Hottie turned in an eye-catching performance in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, motoring home from back in the field to beat all but the speedy Pembrey.

She is likely to progress through the Princess Series with jockey Kerrin McEvoy expecting her to improve as she rises in trip.

“I rode her a bit quiet from that (wide) draw and ended up near the back-end,” McEvoy said.

“I like the way she got out and finished very well. Out in trip is going to suit her.”