Trainer David Payne has sights set on Group races with exciting filly Shohisha after her dynamic win at Rosehill

Trainer David Payne and jockey Kerrin McEvoy have no doubt lightly-raced filly Shohisha can measure up to stakes grade following her smart Midway Handicap win at Rosehill.

Shohisha and Kerrin McEvoy race to an easy win at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

The maestro David Payne and champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy have been around the sport long enough to identify equine talent.

And both men were adamant Shohisha has stakes-race ability after she comfortably defeated her older rivals in the Midway Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Payne, who has trained more than 100 Group 1 winners, is the number one ticketholder in the Shohisha fan club.

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“She’s good, I think she can win a Group race,’’ Payne said.

McEvoy, the rider of more than 80 Group 1 winners and who is destined for Hall of Fame honours, also has a big opinion of Shohisha’s emerging ability.

“Shohisha is a nice, leggy filly and did that well – she toyed with them,’’ McEvoy said.

Promising three-year-old Shohisha ($3.30 favourite) was confidently ridden by McEvoy and she raced clear to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths. Lady Extreme ($5) recorded her fourth second placing in succession with a typically game effort with Rush Hour ($5) just over a length away third.

Shohisha was having only her fourth career start, scoring her second win, and although giving away considerable experience and age to her more seasoned rivals, she proved superior to her opposition.

It's all about Shohisha in the Midway at Rosehill!@KPMcEvoy | @DPayneRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/fAmkQA3qg6

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Payne felt Shohisha should already be a stakes winner having finished second when resuming in the Listed Gosford Guineas behind Dance To The Boom.

“The track beat her at Gosford, if it was a bigger track it might have been different,’’ Payne said.

“But she has done well since and I expected her to run well today. She might have one more run in a Group race and then we might tip her out again – she is still a ‘baby’.’’

McEvoy said Shohisha was strong to the line and is not simply a sprinter.

“I feel she will get out over further,’’ McEvoy said.

“She showed enough speed to be right here over 1200m but the best part of her win today was her last 200m.

“I’m sure David has left more in the tank in regards to later in her preparation and she will get out to 1400m, maybe even a mile (1600m).

Originally published as Trainer David Payne has sights set on Group races with exciting filly Shohisha after her dynamic win at Rosehill