Patrick Payne says exciting jumper Fieldmaster is thriving ahead of the Australian Hurdle but the trainer is unsure who will ride the gelding.

Champion jumps jockey Steven Pateman rode Fieldmaster to a 20-length win in a restricted hurdle at Sandown earlier this month but he is currently not permitted to accept rides at less than 67kg.

Fieldmaster is one of 13 nominations for Saturday’s $100,000 Australian Hurdle at Sandown.

With highly-rated Galleywood Hurdle winner Gotta Take Care nominated, Fieldmaster is likely to get less than Pateman’s allowed riding weight.

“It’s still undecided (who will ride Fieldmaster),” Payne said.

“I think I’ll have a good idea tomorrow.

“We’re hoping that the stewards will lift the embargo that he (Pateman) is able to ride under 67(kg). But if not Richard Cully is going to ride him.

“Richard is familiar with him. He jumps him here at the farm and also he’s trialled him before.”

Payne expects Fieldmaster to get around 65kg or 65.5kg.

Fieldmaster went around in a 1550m Cranbourne barrier trial on the flat on Monday to keep him ticking over for Saturday’s hurdle feature over 3400m.

“He has thrived since his last run so he needed to have a good hit-out at Cranbourne,” Payne said.

“He just sat back and finished off OK.”

Fieldmaster had two jumps starts in restricted grade last year with the view to tackling the major races this winter.

“All throughout his career we thought he would make a good jumper,” Payne said.

“He loves wet ground. He’s a very efficient jumper. Basically he gets to the other side of the jump very quick.”

Payne has nominated Krase for the Australian Steeplechase (3400m) and said a decision would be made later in the week whether runs.

Krase won a steeplechase at Casterton on Sunday and Payne said he appeared to have come through the race well.

Nominations for both the Australian Hurdle and Australian Steeple have been extended until Tuesday.