Ace High to have a change of tactics

DAVID Payne has tipped Ace High to be an even better horse ridden conservatively in Saturday’s Victoria Derby at Flemington.

After leading to win the Gloaming and Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney, Payne is keen to see jockey Tye Angland tuck him in behind the speed in Saturday’s 2500m stamina test.

“We only led because there was no speed,” he said.

“He’s sharper and I think he’s better ridden in behind.”

Ace High has been given a similar preparation to 2009 Derby winner Monaco Consul, who did not start between his Spring Champion win and the Derby. Both are by the Coolmore stallion High Chaparral.

Ace High is bidding to join Monaco Consul, Nothin’ Leica Dane and Stylish Century as the only ones to complete the Spring Champion Stakes-Victoria Derby double.

The race has been a good guide to the Derby in the past decade.

Since 2009, four Derby winners have come through the Spring Champion, including last year’s winner Prized Icon, a close third at Randwick.

“I think we’ve got a very good chance. I’m very happy with him,” Payne said.

“From day one I thought he would be a Derby horse.

“If you look at his second dam, she’s out of a Sunday Silence mare, so there should be enough stamina. Plus a lot of those horses don’t stay, so it depends on the class of the horse.”

Toby Edmonds is likely to make a decision tomorrow on whether emerging sprinter Eptimum runs in Saturday’s Coolmore Stud Stakes.

“It will depend how he does in the stable,” Edmonds said.