Payne chasing a second St Leger
The SA St Leger for 2022 will be run on Thursday at Angle Park and the $10,000 feature race final has brought together a particularly strong field of young hounds. Four heats were run last Thursday and all four heat winners broke the 30.50 mark, which is no mean feat. In what looks an even race on paper with an abundance of early speed in the race, the box draw might just have a big say. One winner from the draw was the Matthew Payne trained Aston Carlos, who has come up with box #1. After a rocky run early last week, Aston Carlos was able to just qualify behind the flying Springvale Maddi. A favourable draw brings him into the race on Thursday, but Payne concedes that he’s going to need to do everything right.
“If he doesn’t lead he won’t win. I’ve got to find 7 lengths so I need to be realistic, but you never know.” said a blunt Payne.
After a solid beginning, Aston Carlos was able to rail under the field in the early stages of the race last week, before riding a few bumps to find himself in clear air, chasing the tearaway leader. Payne thought it was a sound run, but the door is open to improvement.
“Wasn’t too bad (in regards to the heat run). Probably doing what he’s doing sort of thing. He can run a bit quicker. He’s had a few problems with his wrists that are starting to come a bit better now.”
“He can begin on his night, but he’s just sitting down in the boxes and he does want to shift off.”
The box draw has not only been kind to Aston Carlos by giving him the ‘red’, but he has drawn She’s A Hotshot to his outside, which will go quick and run plenty of cover for Carlos. Whilst Aston Carlos does like some room to his outside as well, he should have his chance to rail under if he close enough early.
Prior form going into the heats was only okay numerically, but Payne insists he is going well.
“He’s been going alright, he’s just missing the kick. The runs up the straight were enormous, he’s pretty good up there, but lately he’s just anticipating the start wrong.”
The same preparation will take Aston Carlos to the track on Thursday as Payne looks to secure his second ever SA St Leger, with Torpedo Mclaren his first winner of the race.
“Same preparation, he just had a run yesterday and that was it. He will be on a lead now till Thursday.”
Photo: Aston Carlos doing what he does best
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography