The David Payne-trained Navajo Peak ($51) has caused a massive upset in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Having stalked a hot speed set by Lindermann ($14) and Knights Order ($26), Chad Schofield gave Navajo Peak every chance to cause an upset and he did just that.
With Knights Order under pressure on the home turn, Navajo Peak managed to sprint strongly and grabbed Lindermann with 100m to go and managed to hold off the fast-finishing duo of Major Beel ($26) and race favourite Think It Over ($3.30)
Saturday’s win in the Chelmsford was Navajo Peak’s first Group win of his career, with connections dreaming big having nominated their horse for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) for later in the spring.
2023 Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes Replay – Navajo Peak
David Payne was clearly expecting a forward showing from his runner and Navajo Peak rewarded him in some fashion.
“You know people didn’t see his run the other day. He must’ve been running 14-wide, pull him to last so I knew there would be three lengths improvement in him, plus the run,” said Payne.
We had a bit of a sneaky feeling about him. He only got beat five lengths and people don’t look at that, they just see two horses.”
“If you look at this form, it’s unbelievable form. He should’ve been much closer the other day, that’s the only blot on his copybook.”
Chad Schofield who bought up a winning double on the day was just as impressed with Navajo Peak’s performance.
“Mr (David) Payne (trainer) gave a good push to me before the race, he just said ‘he got too far back last start and he really got going through the line,” said Schofield.
“He said ‘whack him on the pace today and he’ll run well’, so I did that.”
“He didn’t jump well but I pressed forward, I was caught wide. But once I got alongside Linderman it spurred him up.
“He took off to the front and we really stretched along and I was able to drop in. I saw that Knights Order dropped off around the turn so I had to get on my bike and chase the leader, but it was a good win.”
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