Payne in Search of a Spring Champion

Impressive when having conditions to suit in the G3 Gloaming S. (1800m), the David Payne-trained Ace High (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) should be able to take up the running again in the G1 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion S. on Saturday, ensuring he can control the race from the front. Having always been aimed towards the Group 1 staying contest, Ace High should once again be able to hold off last start runner-up Sanctioned (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}), with the Godolphin-owned runner having to jump from the outside gate, and likely to be planted wide in the run.

With no runner in the field having raced over the distance, one that may not have the pedigree to be competitive, but has the form to, is the multiple stakes-placed Dissolution (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}). The A$1.1-million Inglis Easter yearling is owned by a large group of local and international owners including South Africa's Markus Jooste and global breeding giant Coolmore, and with the colt a narrow second to Ataraxia (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) over 1600m last start, he should relish the step up in trip on Saturday.

With quite a few of the runners backing-up after their performances behind Ataraxia in the Listed Dulcify Qty a week prior, a win by the John O'Shea-trained Langley (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), would be a significance milestone for the Randwick-based trainer, being his first stakes winner since departing his role with Godolphin.

Bred to appreciate the tip, and further still, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young's Sully (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has juvenile form around some of the rising 3-year-olds of this season and although fourth behind Ace High over the 1800m, the gelding needed room during the run and from a wide barrier here, should get that room in transit.

The lone filly in the race is the Melbourne visitor Coral Coast (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}), a last start third behind Ace High, and a leading contender for of the G1 VRC Oaks (2500m) if she holds together, considering she is having her fifth run on Saturday in just her first race preparation.

While David Payne holds the key with race favourite Ace High, his second stringer in the field has continually performed as if he is in need of a trip since his 2-year-old debut win. Colesberg (Aus) (Congrats), a winning half-brother to South African champion 2-year-old filly Entisaar (Aus) (More Than Ready) found himself too far back in the Gloaming, but made up many lengths late, and from gate three here should be able to settle closer in the run, and could be a wild card runner.