Reliable campaigner State Of America has developed into a standout representative for David Payne’s stable, although it wasn’t always smooth sailing with the now five-year-old.
In his early days, the gelding was known for his challenging temperament, requiring plenty of time and handling to get his mind on the job.
“He used to be a really difficult horse,” Payne said.
“If you look at his first run, Willie Pike rode him and he nearly ran off the track. He has come a long way and the penny has dropped. He has become sensible.”
State Of America’s transformation has been rewarded with nearly $500,000 in earnings, and he’s been in strong form, winning four of his last seven outings, most recently over 1600m at Hawkesbury.
He’ll rise to 1800m on Saturday for the Tom Bingle Handicap at Randwick and is expected to handle any give in the ground.
“He has come back well and he’s looking a picture. He will be competitive again,” Payne said.
“As long as it’s not a heavy 10 or something, it shouldn’t worry him. He enjoys that little bit of give in the track and he tends to hold form once he finds it too.”
The gelding ended his last prep with a fifth in the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) and will again chase black-type success this time in.
The Listed Scone Cup (1600m) is one target, though Payne is leaning against interstate travel.
“I will look at all those races. You can’t hide him now, you’ve got to go that way,” he said.
“We will look at the Scone Cup. He probably wouldn’t go to Brisbane, I don’t know if he’d be a traveller. He is a bit of a worrier but we will see how he shapes up.”
Payne also saddles Trafalgar Square in the Neville Waters Handicap (1200m) and expects improvement second-up.
“She has run in some good company and now that she is down in grade with a light weight, it gives her a bit of a chance,” Payne said.