David Payne is still learning about recent acquisition Blue Soldier, but the horse has surprised him once and he is hoping he might do the same again in The Gong.
The former Northern Hemisphere galloper was a Listed winner and dual Group placegetter in Ireland who had been struggling to recapture that form in Australia.
Transferred to Payne, he made the perfect start for his new trainer with an upset win in the Ladies Day Cup (1600m) at Hawkesbury where he kicked back after being headed by eventual runner-up Wheelhouse.
The victory was unexpected, not least of all because Blue Soldier had previously shown a dislike for rain-affected ground.
“We thought he’d run well but we were worried about the going because it was heavy and the owner thought he didn’t like heavy going,” Payne said.
“I think he has improved a bit, but he would have to because it’s a much stronger field.
“He goes there with a light weight. It’s a tough race but he’s well and he’s ready to go, so who knows?”
Blue Soldier has drawn gate three for Saturday’s 1600 metre Kembla Grange showpiece and will be ridden by apprentice Tom Sherry, who returned to the saddle earlier this week after serving a suspension for a COVID-related breach.
The five-year-old led at Hawkesbury and Payne again expects him to take up a handy position in the capacity field of 16 on Saturday.
If Blue Soldier can measure up on Saturday, he is likely to earn himself a shot at next month’s Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.