David Feels The Payne Of Lost Horses

David Payne has lost two of his key players and will be relying on a new look team to bring him success throughout 2012.

Both Masquerader and Defiant Dame will no longer be seen racing in Australia creating a big hole in the trainers squad.

Masquerader had plenty of promise but throughout 2011 he struggled to make a serious impact at the top level.

As a result connections have elected to send him aboard to Hong Kong in a bid to kick start his career.

Defiant Dame meanwhile has had a much nastier demise, the mare forced into retirement following injury.

“She had a growth in her throat, cartilage that was inoperable so we had to retire her,” Payne said.

She will start her stud career with a service by Fastnet Rock in the coming weeks.

For Payne though he needs to turn his attention to how he’s going to win races and it will be on the back of a team both old and new.

The major new addition is Latin News, a horse that has already had a start for him when second over 1100m at Canterbury last Saturday.

Payne says he was encouraged by that run and feels he may well have a nice race in him.

“I think he needed a run, very pleased with him,” he said.

“There’s a couple of races in Brisbane and the Magic Millions over 1400m.”

The horse has only won the three events from 19 starts but only now is he racing at full fitness.

“He’s had a lot of feet problems, the nice long rest he’s had sorted him out,” Payne said.

Representing the older brigade will be consistent filly Florentina.

She’s no eligible for the Magic Millions and will be targeted for a series of races over the autumn.

“She’s still spelling and in semi work there, she’ll be back in a couple of weeks,” he said.

“There’s a couple of much better fillies than her around, we’ll have to look at a couple of the Listed races or the lower Group events.”

Payne says he ideal distance will probably up to a mile.

That’s not the case for Praecido, a stayer that’s had plenty of opportunities in some of the best races in the country.

Unfortunately his win record isn’t up to scratch and Payne will bite the bullet and drop him down in grade.

“I think just maybe a listed race somewhere…2400m or something around there,” he said.

“I’m not sure he’s up to the Group 1 class.”

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