Trainer Patrick Payne isn’t one to overplay the prospects of horses under his care too often and he is true to his form after the win of Gate Crash (NZ) (Roc de Cambes) ($2.10) in the Ladbrokes Blended Bets Handicap (1800m) at Sandown on Monday.
This was the second win in four starts for the four-year-old Roc De Cambes gelding to add to two minor placings since the debut run at Warracknabeal in last July.
Breaking the maiden at Sale in August, then returning with a placing at Sale in mid-December, Gate Crash looks to be a horse going places after stepping up again at Benchmark 64 level.
“He’s a lovely, genuine horse,” Payne said.
“He was very green and wayward early but the penny seems to have dropped.”
While Payne was reluctant to place too much emphasis on the extent of any ‘upside’ that the New Zealand-bred colt may have, jockey Craig Williams was happy to go a step further.
“He’s a raw, lightly raced four-year-old,” Williams said post-race.
“He travelled down the Sandown hill between horses with no problems.
“He’s nowhere near his mark and is an exciting four-year-old.
Payne purchased Gate Crash for $32,500 out of The Oaks’ 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 draft.
