Change of plan for Ace High

TRAINER David Payne is prepared to cast aside a proven winning formula with Ace High to finally secure a Group 1 $1.5 million AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington today.

Ace High has led throughout to win the Gloaming Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes at his last two starts, but Payne doesn’t want jockey Tye Angland to go to the front early in the Derby.

Payne said the small fields and lack of tempo in Ace High’s last two Sydney starts meant it was better for the colt to lead but the capacity 16horse Derby field has prompted the change of riding tactics today.

“I don’t want Ace High leading early,’’ Payne said.

“If we are in front too far out, he will be a sitting duck in the straight.

“There is no need to set the pace in a Derby. I’d like to see Tye settle in the front half of the field and bide his time.

“The long straight at Flemington gives you the chance to run on and this colt, I know, will be finishing his race off strongly.’’

Ace High, the $5 TAB favourite, hasn’t raced since holding off Tangled to win the Spring Champion Stakes nearly a month ago.

Payne, the champion trainer who has prepared more than 100 Group 1 winners during his celebrated career, maintains his colt did not need another run to ready him for today’s testing 2500m stamina test.

“You can go to the well once too often, particularly with young horses,’’ Payne said. “Ace High is a natural athlete, he is very fit, and I think he is even better now than he was going into the Spring Champion Stakes.’’

Monaco Consul (2009) is the last horse to win the Spring Champion Stakes-Victoria Derby double and he did not have a run between those Group 1 triumphs, either.

Payne said Ace High’s Derby preparation has gone to plan. “The draw was so important, we were hoping for a good barrier and three is perfect,’’ Payne said.

“They don’t have long out to the barriers before they run into that first corner and if you are wide, you can end up five-deep and your race is over.

“From our barrier, Ace High should be able to settle into a good position and with cover. I’ve got no doubt he will run the 2500m, no problem, but you want to give your horse every chance to run the trip, which is why the draw was crucial.’’

Payne and Ace High’s owner John Cordina are hoping Ace High can go one better in the Victoria Derby after they had a second placing with Praecido (behind Lion Tamer) in 2010. The trainer has also saddled up unplaced Derby runner Honorius (eighth to Fiveandahalfstar in 2012) and Criterion (fourth to Polanski in 2013) but believes Ace High is his best ever chance to win the nation’s oldest three-year-old classic.