Trainer David Payne plots royal upset with Rag Queen in 2024 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick

She stands barely 15 hands, weighs less than 450kg and will be dwarfed by her powerfully-built rivals in Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes … but Rag Queen can stand tall for trainer David Payne at Royal Randwick.

The maestro David Payne is plotting a big Spring Champion Stakes upset with one of the smallest and cheapest elite racehorses in training.

Rag Queen cost only $15,000 as a yearling, she stands barely 15 hands, weighs less than 450kg, and will be dwarfed by some of the powerfully-built, superbly-bred colts in the field for the Group 1 three-year-old classic over the Royal Randwick 2000m course on Saturday.

But Payne, who is chasing a third Spring Champion Stakes after his wins with Montefilia (2020) and Ace High (2017), is adamant Rag Queen will hold her own.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“Rag Queen’s only tiny, there is nothing of her, but she is a talented filly, tries very hard,’’ Payne said.

“I thought her run in the Gloaming Stakes (fourth behind El Castello and Swiftfalcon) was very good.

“She will appreciate the 2000m, she just keeps coming in her races and will be finishing off strongly.

“We are testing her for the Oaks in Melbourne and I think she can run very well against the ‘boys’.’’

• James Molony’s expert tips, race-by-race analysis for Randwick on Saturday

Rag Queen is rated a $16 chance in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Spring Champion Stakes behind equal favourites El Castello and Swiftfalcon at $3.70.

Payne has taken heed of top jockey Chad Schofield’s recommendation and added blinkers to Rag Queen for the big race.

“Chad said she wasn’t concentrating around the bend the other day and lost some ground,’’ Payne said. “So, we have put the blinkers on hoping she can settle a bit closer.’’

Schofield, who has won two Group 1 races this spring on superstar Ceolwulf in the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes, said he was impressed by Rag Queen’s effort in the Gloaming Stakes.

El Castello strings together three wins in a row and wins the G3 TAB Gloaming Stakes for Josh Parr and @ACummingsracing!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/yj5en5VxT3

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 12, 2024

• ‘It doesn’t make a hell of a lot of sense’: Champion status at stake on Saturday

“I thought it was an excellent run last start,’’ Schofield said.

“She showed a lot of ability as a two-year-old, when she flew home to finish third in the Inglis race it was a phenomenal run, but then she seemed to lose her form and confidence.

“But now she has got out in trip, her performance improved a lot last start and it looks like she will stay further. She is a sneaky chance in the Spring Champion.’’

Payne said if Rag Queen ran up to his expectations in the Spring Champion Stakes, he would aim her at the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

• She’s Due: Seib plots Group 1 breakthrough in Spring Champion

The champion trainer has already locked in a Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) start at Flemington next Saturday for Rag Queen’s stablemate, War Ribbon.

“I’ve won the Derby twice with Ace High and Criterion and although War Ribbon doesn’t have the class of those horses, he will stay all day,’’ Payne said.

“War Ribbon has no turn of foot but he just keeps powering on at the same speed. I like him a lot, the further the better for him, he’s such a strong stayer.

“I only paid $35,000 for War Ribbon and $15,000 for Rag Queen – but if they could run in the placings at Flemington they will earn a lot of prizemoney.’’

Originally published as Trainer David Payne plots royal upset with Rag Queen in 2024 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick