Todd Payne lands four wins and Bundara Cup as race club ends four-year hiatus

The large crowd watches on as the Todd Payne-trained Shamedy wins Saturday’s Bundarra Cup.
Image copyright: Bradley Photos.

It was a red-letter day for Inverell trainer Todd Payne at Bundarra on Saturday, with his stable preparing four winners, including the feature on the program, the Booroomooka Angus/BJA Bundarra Cup.

Racing consistent galloper Shamedy ($1.80), apprentice jockey Bronte Simpson (59kg after the 3kg claim) was in the saddle as the pair won by two lengths in the 1400m feature, defeating the Gavin Groth-trained Accrue (Michael Heagney, $5) in second and stablemate Kalahari Heart (Wendy Peel, $8) in third.

The 5YO Better Than Ready gelding is now an eight-time winner, with his earnings eclipsing $300,000 following Saturday’s victory.

Earlier on the six-race program, Payne prepared Desert Cougar (Chelsea Hillier, $2) for a nearly two-length victory in the 1000m Class One Handicap.

Two races later, Scott Sweedman was in the saddle as the Todd Payne-trained Twenty Four Guns ($3.50) won by two lengths in the 1300m Maiden Handicap.

It was start number 17 for the 5YO US Navy Flag gelding, which was having his first start for the stable.

Rounding out a massive day for the team, A Tent Hut ($2) won the final race on the card, ridden to victory by apprentice Gabrielle Johnston (59.5kg after the 3kg claim) in the 1700m Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Saturday capped off a good run for Payne, with his stable successful in securing a start for Lisztomania in the $2 million Kosciuszko, which will be run and won at Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 18.

For Bundarra Racing Club, Saturday marked the end of a four-year hiatus, with the North West-based racecourse welcoming a massive crowd.

Inverell’s Greg Kachel called the meeting and was kind enough to share some photos and updates with Country Punter on what was a triumphant return to racing for the hard-working committee.

Words: Jeff Hanson

Image: Bradley Photos