Airborne filly Wings Of Song chasing sixth straight win in Group 3 Auraria Stakes at Morphettville
Fresh off dominating the Tasmanian summer carnival, master horseman Patrick Payne is eyeing another win with Tasmanian Oaks winner Wings Of Song in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
The flying filly is chasing a remarkable sixth straight win, and every win Payne gets with the filly comes with heightened sense of satisfaction, courtesy of loyal owners Sandy Tait and Jill Nivison - who were big supporters of Payne during a riding career that churned out 19 Group 1 wins.
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"It's extremely special (training for them), they are very loyal people," Payne, who rode champion stayer Tie The Knot in Tait and Nivison's red and white silks to Group 1 glory, said.
"They were excellent to ride for and that's just carried on, they are extremely good to train for, they've got some really nice horses that they breed, I'm fairly honoured to be able to train for them."
The successful combination of Payne and Tait-Nivison is thriving again, with Wings Of Song dominating the fillies series of the Tasmanian summer carnival earlier this year, notching black-type wins in the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m), 1000 Guineas (1600m), Strutt Stakes (2100m) and Tasmanian Oaks (2100m).
The in-form three-year-old will tackle Group level for the second time, after running ninth in last year's Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
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"She's in excellent order, she's an extremely easy horse to train - we are really happy to be coming to Adelaide," he said.
"It's obviously a step up, so we have the question as to whether she's good enough, but she has the attitude to go as far as she can."
After a flawless campaign in Tasmania, a stint in Adelaide became the next mission for the for the filly, with the $1m Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), part of Adelaide’s newly-revamped autumn carnival, on Payne’s radar.What a summer it's been for Wings of Song as she adds the Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Oaks to her wins in the Tasmanian Guineas, Thousand Guineas and Strutt Stakes.
Another perfect ride from @JyeMcNeilpic.twitter.com/Gk41fowosO
- Tasracing Australia (@TasracingAus) February 25, 2024
“I think (Adelaide) is suitable for her, the tracks in Adelaide are very good, the prizemoney is good and I think it’s a great option for her after what she did in Tasmania,” he said.
A stayer on the rise, Bold Soul is chasing four wins in a row in Saturday's assignment, and is coming in off the back of Listed triumphs in the Launceston Guineas (2100m) and Tasmanian Derby (2200m).Payne, who trains in Victoria, notched his first Group 1 win as a trainer in last year's South Australian Derby (2500m) with Dunkel, and could be set for a back-to-back tilt with Bold Soul if the gelding runs well in lead-up races.
"(He's) going excellent, he had a good time down in Tasmania, he'll go through the (Port Adelaide) Guineas, the Chairman's (Stakes) and also the SA Derby if his form warrants it," he said.
Victorian hoop Jake Noonan will pilot both gallopers on Saturday.
Wings Of Song is currently a $10 chance with TAB in early betting, while Bold Soul is on the fourth line of betting at $8.50.
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