Gold Coast Turf Club director Luke Henderson goes from handing out trophies to collecting his own in The Syndicate at Sunshine Coast

Gold Coast Turf Club director and Melbourne Cup-winning owner Luke Henderson was handing out trophies to the winners all day – and then he snared one of his very own.

Payline launches from last to win The Syndicate for jockey Damian Lane and trainers Chris and Corey Munce. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

Gold Coast Turf Club director and Melbourne Cup-winning owner Luke Henderson was handing out trophies to the winners all day – and then he snared one of his very own.

With Saturday’s meeting shifted to the Sunshine Coast after the latest Gold Coast track catastrophe, Henderson was one of the few Gold Coast Turf Club identities who made the two-hour trip north.

Happy to help out behind the scenes, Henderson, who won the 2013 Melbourne Cup with Fiorente, was assisting Magic Millions with their trophy presentations and organising the winner’s room for successful connections for most of the day on the Sunshine Coast.

But his own moment to shine came in the $1m The Syndicate when Damian Lane produced a miracle ride to score on Chris and Corey Munce-trained sprinter Payline.

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Payline wasn’t once of the fancies – sent out at $21 – and would have been much longer odds in running when he was back last with Lane needing to make all the right moves.

The star Victorian jockey ducked and wove and steered Payline to the inside as he nabbed leader Golden Boom on the line.

It was a sweet reward for Henderson who led the horse back in, after spending the afternoon dealing with other winning connections.

“I actually touched the trophy about five minutes before the race and as soon as I did I thought ‘oh no, that’s my chances gone’. I’m a bit superstitious that way,” Henderson said.

“I am just so thrilled, I didn’t even know what odds the horse was.

“When Chris and Corey set the horse for this race probably about three runs ago, I thought it was a big ask, but the horse was improving.

“Damian Lane cut all the corners and just got there today.

“It was an amazing ride, this is why you want the best jockeys on board when you have got the opportunity.

“We took the opportunity today and we were rewarded.”

Damian Lane take a bow! 🙌

Payline EXPLODES along the fence and goes from last to first over the line winning The TAB Syndicate! 🏇@LaneDamian@mmsnippets@[e-mail]/s71HKtHadj

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 4, 2025

• Schweida finds fast Lane to victory with Miss Joelene

Tony Gollan-trained sprinter Golden Boom is probably best known as a 1000m dasher, so there was a chance he was going to be slightly vulnerable late in the 1100m event.

But Golden Boom ran in fabulous fashion and was only denied by a spectacular ride from Lane.

“I was speechless until he crossed the winning post,” Corey Munce said.

“He didn’t go a yard in the heavy track last start but he was great today.

“That was some ride by Damian.

“He is a serious horse this horse.”

It could be a big seven days for the Munce training team who are likely to have two runners (Vein Girl and Cool Archie) in next Saturday’s $3m Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Originally published as Gold Coast Turf Club director Luke Henderson goes from handing out trophies to collecting his own in The Syndicate at Sunshine Coast