Carnegie Express Sensationally Stripped from Waterhouse
- Tuesday, 27 August 2002 00:00
It is understood the owners of the Rosehill and Canterbury Guineas winner disagreed with Waterhouse engaging Jim Cassidy on the galloper last weekend.
Former South African trainer David Payne received a call from one of the horse's owners this morning asking if he would like to train him.
"I was on my way up to Emirates Stud at Murrurundi when one of the owners called me," Payne told Cyberhorse late today. "In fact I haven't even seen the horse yet."
Payne said he was excited to have been entrusted with such a talented performer and was looking forward to the future with him.
"It's obviously very exciting, I'm disappointed naturally enough for Gai," he added. "I'm not sure what happened, but in racing you win some and you lose some."
Carnegie Express is expected to have his next start in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes on September 7. It is expected that Victory Vein's regular rider Danny Beasley will be in the saddle at the son of Carnegie's next start.
Meanwhile, Payne added that his other stable star, the talented mare Hoeberg had pulled up in fine fettle since her run, also behind Defier and Lonhro in the Warwick Stakes, on Saturday.
"She's pulled up fine," Payne said. "She doesn't like to race up too handy, but there was no pace in the race on Saturday."
Payne plans to aim the mare at the Epsom Handicap before a possible Group One tilt against the best in Melbourne.
"We'd look to running her in the Cox Plate," he said. "But that will depend on how she goes in the Epsom to see whether she will be able to match it with the best."
