The four year old filly FLEECING (Anabaa x Stealing) provided David Payne with his second Australian winner when she won a $45,000 Fillies and Mares Handicap over 1200 metres at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 16 November. FLEECING won in fine style but did it the hard way - drew wide (13 of 13), settled towards the rear after being unable to cross, raced wide on a tight turn, and finished wide. Jockey Hugh Bowman jumped FLEECING smartly from her outside barrier but had no option but to ease her back. Approaching the 600 metre mark FLEECING looped the field, six wide, to be in contention at the top of the straight. She sustained her momentum to power ahead to win by three parts of a length in a time of 1 minute 11.41 seconds (last 600 metres in 35 seconds), at odds of 15/1.

The procedure for nominating and accepting for races in Australia is different from South Africa - firstly nominations are submitted, after which weights are allotted, followed by acceptance at stage three and finally the barrier draw. Therefore at time of final acceptance the barrier positions are not known - you take your chances and hope that luck is on your side!

David Payne has long been renowned for presenting his horses in superior condition - a characteristic stamp, unique to him; a distinctive "Payne" horse. Since arriving in Australia Payne has shown that he has lost none of that art as evidenced by his runners to date, specifically SIERRA DANE last week and FLEECING on Saturday. Both resembled absolute standouts in the pre race parade.

To date Payne has sent out 13 starters for 2 wins, 3 places and stake earnings of $65,200; a pleasing start considering that the majority of Payne's horses are unraced two year olds.