David Payne puts Inglis Challenge on the agenda for exciting talent Rag Queen

Rag Queen was last seen finishing third in the Inglis Millennium but trainer David Payne could have even bigger goals in mind in the coming weeks.

Trainer David Payne has Rag Queen lining up in the Inglis Challenge. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Untapped talent Rag Queen shows ‘bugger all at home’ but Group 1 trainer David Payne will rely on his lightly-raced filly’s ability to bring it on raceday to take her to the top this preparation.

Payne’s daughter of D’argento will make her return from a spell as one of the leading contenders in the $200,000 Inglis Challenge (1100m) at Scone this Friday.

Payne could use the Scone feature as a springboard to a potential Queensland Winter Carnival campaign where Rag Queen has been nominated for both the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on June 1 and Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 15.

Rag Queen has shown plenty of potential in two runs to date.

She followed up an amazing last-to-first debut win at Canterbury in January with a slashing third in the Inglis Millennium in February before being sent for a break instead of targeting Sydney’s autumn majors.

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D’Argento gets on the board 🙌

2YO filly Rag Queen (ex Victory Day) storms home late to provide her sire with his first winner from his second runner @aus_turf_club Canterbury for @DPayneRacing 💪

She was purchased @inglis_sales Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale for $15k by her… pic.twitter.com/CnzJ4wtWsX

— TTR AusNZ (@TTRAusNZ) January 5, 2024

“She is not a track horse so she doesn’t show us too much, she really shows you bugger all at home,” Payne said.

“Both of her runs have been really good when she has gone to the races. I think she is still a bit gun shy with horses around her but I don’t want to put the blinkers on her just yet because she is still young.

“Jason Collett said she’s got a motor on her both times he has ridden her and is riding her on Friday for me as well.”

Rag Queen is also nominated for the Listed Woodland Stakes (1100m) on day two of Scone’s carnival on Saturday where she is rated a $4.50 second elect in ‘all-in’ TAB betting but Payne is content for the filly to line up a day earlier.

The lightly-raced juvenile was down to trial on Tuesday morning before all heats were abandoned due to heavy conditions, forcing Payne to give the Rag Queen a gallop instead.

Jason Collett is back from injury and will ride Rag Queen. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

“I just wanted to give her another easy trial so we just galloped her on Thursday morning instead with Jason on her and he was happy,” Payne said.

“Friday was the easier race so we went that way. I think she could have been competitive in both races because she is a nice little filly.

“We will see how she goes on Friday and see if she’s good enough to go to Brisbane for a race.”

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Payne expects Rag Queen will continue to improve as she gets out further in trip.

“I think you will see the best of her over that 1600m,” he said.

“Being by D’argento, he won a Rosehill Guineas, so I’ve expected she will get better the further she goes.”

Rag Queen is a $51 outsider in JJ Atkins betting.

Originally published as David Payne puts Inglis Challenge on the agenda for exciting talent Rag Queen