By Jonny Turner
The first defeat of Pay Me Speedy’s career is set to have a big impact on her chances of getting back to winning form at Winton on Sunday.
The talented Chelsea Faithful trained mare’s unbeaten run at the races ended with her strong second to Tres Chic after sitting parked at the same track earlier this month.
Pay Me Speedy came into that race with more than five weeks between runs.
The benefit she has taken from it means the four-year-old should strip fitter and prove very hard to beat in Sunday’s fourth heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series.
“I knew she would improve after her last run, it had been a few weeks between her races,” Faithful said.
“I reckon I had her primed two weeks after her last win but a race never got off the ground for her at Invercargill.
“So, she was definitely lacking race fitness last time.”
Pay Me Speedy starts from barrier 5 for regular driver Nathan Williamson.
The reinsman should have plenty of tactical options going by the versatility his mare has shown in her short career.
“We actually made that comment the other day,” Faithful said.
“She has won from she has won from sitting in the trail and she has won from sitting last on the turn and she has won in front.”
“And she showed last time that she can do plenty of work.”
Faithful and Williamson will swap roles in race 4 with T Bone Rawhide.
Faithful will don her teal driving pants to drive Williamson trained trotter.
T Bone Rawhide ran on strongly behind Miss Bamboocha in his last start at Winton, which was effectively his first-up run given he galloped out of contention in his campaign opener at Forbury Park.
“He went massive, really,” Faithful said.
“He hadn’t had a workout and he hadn’t had a trial.”
“He went to Forbury for his workout and he was naughty which he can be at times.”
“But he went great last time.”
Faithful and Williamson have both seen improvement in the seven-year-old since his last run.
And that suggests he should be even harder to beat in race 4.
“Nathan thinks he will be fitter for that run.”
“I worked him on Friday and he worked really good and I don’t think he will be too far away.”
The Williamson stable also starts Ruby Seddon in race 4 with the trainer in the sulky.
Sunday Invasion (race 1) and Andy Hall (race 8) also step out for Williamson on Sunday.
Andy Hall must overcome a 20m handicap to win his first start since late December.
Oliver Kite will drive the five-year-old who won a workout in sedate time at Winton last week.