Correspondent, Panya post a metro victory
Correspondent’s first win for Grahame Payne will also be the last with the three-year-old to do his future racing in Perth.
The gelding’s win in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill was also a first Saturday metropolitan win for apprentice Deanne Panya who took him to the front and controlled the race in contrast to his last start when he was ridden back and over-raced.
“He is off to Perth next week and the bloke who bought him should have a lot of fun with him there,” Payne said.
“The horse had excuses last time and was a bit unlucky.
“I told Deanne that if she gets an easy lead to make them chase you and that’s exactly what she did.
“I buy and sell quite a few horses over the internet and I’m pleased for his new owner.”
Although it was a milestone for Panya, she took it in her stride.
“He relaxed underneath me,” she said.
“And he still had enough left at the end and responded when I asked him.”
Correspondent ($9) had 2-3/4 lengths on Le Cavalier ($8.50) at the end of the 1500m with Pure Choice ($10) another three-quarters of a length away.
After joining Payne in February from Victorian trainer Darren Weir, Correspondent has had five starts for his win and two seconds.