Trainer David Payne is hoping for a change of fortune for State Of America after a run of bad luck

Trainer David Payne has remained philosophical about the recent bad luck encountered by State Of America but hopes a wide draw will be the key to turning his fortunes around.

State Of America has been the victim of bad luck at his past two starts but can turn that around at Gosford on Thursday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Last Saturday is one day trainer David Payne would rather forget.

The Rosehill horseman had to watch State Of America cross the line behind a wall of horses in the Midway before Agita and Navajo Peak finished towards the rear of the field in the Dulcify Stakes and Group 1 The Metropolitan respectively.

Payne had been aiming Agita at the Gloaming Stakes and Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes but those plans have been abandoned.

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Trainer David Payne is hoping for a change of fortune at Gosford on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

“Agita pulled up lame so he is out of those races now.” David Payne said.

“He’s a young horse so there is no rush with him. We’ll give him the time he needs.”

State Of America started the favourite in the Midway Handicap but was locked up midfield on the rails rounding the bend.

Although rider Zac Lloyd was able to get off the fence, no runs appeared in the straight and the gelding went to the line untested to finish tenth behind Loving Cilla.

The son of American Pharoah suffered a similar fate at Canterbury the start prior when held up until about the 100m mark before finishing third behind Our Maryanne.

“His last two runs have been a tough watch,” Payne said.

“He didn’t clear until very late at Canterbury but the race was all over by then.

“It was the same again last Saturday, you could see he was going to run into trouble again rounding the bend but that happens.

“It was just like a barrier trial for him.”

The Benchmark 68 at Gosford wasn’t initially part of Payne’s plans for the four-year-old but after what happened on Saturday, he decided to back him up.

“I looked at the program and there is nothing suitable for him coming up,” he said.

“When I saw the nominations were extended for this race and after what happened on Saturday, I thought I would put him. He had an easy run so he may as well back-up.

“He has drawn has drawn right out which I think might suit him. He won’t be locked up on the fence from there.”

Highborn Harry could earn himself a shot at the Gloaming Stakes if successful at Gosford on Thursday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Payne was happy with the first-up run of Highborn Harry over 1200m at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago and is looking forward to stepping him up to a mile in the Class 1 over 1600m on Thursday.

The son of Harry Angel got a bump coming out of the gates and settled last, some 10 or 12 lengths off the leaders but closed off well to finish just over five lengths off Balkans.

“The 1200m first-up was just too short for him and he came from a long way back but he made up good ground and hit the line well,” said Payne.

“He will appreciate the step up (to the mile) this week.

“He’s a very nice horse; very progressive and I’m really happy with him.

“He’s a lightly-raced horse and is untapped so we will judge him after this race and see where we head with him.

“If he comes out and wins impressively, he could possibly head to the Gloaming (Stakes).”

Payne’s third runner for the day is another lightly-raced but promising prospect in Gunslinger.

The son of Impending resumed from a spell for his second campaign with a closing two and a half-length third behind Matussalem over 1500m at Hawkesbury on September 21.

He steps out in the Maiden Plate over 1900m on Thursday.

“He’s a nice horse but he is still a bit of a baby,” he said.

“He will get the trip but mentally he’s still not there. He just needs racing to help him learn what it is all about.

“We have put a set of blinkers on to help him concentrate so we’ll see what happens.”

SMITH EXCITED FOR FIRST EVEREST RUNNER AS BUENOS NOCHES WARMS UP

The nerves haven’t kicked in yet but trainer Matthew Smith is looking forward to saddling up his first Everest runner in Buenos Noches in next week’s $20 million sprint.

“No nerves just yet. We still have to get there,” Smith said.

“Maybe once we officially accept for the race they will start to kick in.”

The gelding continued his preparation his Grand Final with a nice trial at Rosehill on Tuesday when sixth behind fellow Everest rivals Overpass, Mazu and Shinzo after settling last.

“I just wanted him to have a good blow on Tuesday and tick him over into the race,” he said.

“He travelled beautifully, hit the line strongly and pulled up good so he’s in good shape.”

Trainer Matthew Smith is looking forward to next week’s The Everest but is concentrating on Thursday’s Gosford meeting first. Picture: Grant Guy

In the meantime, Smith will turn his attention to Gosford on Thursday where he has four runners including three in the same race with Ten Downing Street, Aethelflaed and Final Reset will clash in the Maiden Plate over 1900m.

Ten Downing Street, a well-named son of Churchill, hasn’t been far away in each of his six starts which included three placings.

“He just got too far back at Canberra the other day in a slowly run race,” Smith said.

“He just needs further and I think the track might be too tight for him but he has drawn a good gate so maybe he can hold a spot and be thereabouts in the finish again.”

Aethelflaed pleased Smith with her debut seventh at Scone on September 22 when beaten just over three lengths over 1400m.

“She is a really nice filly who will be better next preparation,” he said.

“Her work has been good and I expect her to run really well.”

Final Reset will need some luck according to Smith after he came up with the outside barrier for this race.

The son of reset was a handy second at Canberra last time out.

“His run was good the other day at Canberra. He improved several lengths from his first run to his second,” he said.

“He will probably have to go back from that wide gate and be ridden quietly.”

Smith’s final runner for the day is Newsbeat in the Maiden Handicap over 1200m where the gelding has drawn barrier 15.

“He will have to go back,” Smith said.

“He raced up on the speed last start and didn’t finish it off. He has been back to the trials since and performed well.”

Originally published as Trainer David Payne is hoping for a change of fortune for State Of America after a run of bad luck