Rosehill trainer David Payne is optimistic that his horses Persian Wonder and Proxima Dea can perform well in the $500,000 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. Payne sees this as a stepping stone for both horses to potentially compete in the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes later. Unbeaten filly Proxima Dea, aiming for longer distances, is a favorite at $4, while Persian Wonder, a gelding who needs to prove himself over the extended distance of 1800m, starts as a $15 hope from gate 10.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Trainer David Payne from Rosehill is optimistic about his horses Proxima Dea and Persian Wonder competing in the $500,000 Gloaming Stakes this Saturday at Randwick, which could serve as a stepping stone to the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). Unbeaten filly Proxima Dea, a full sister to 2022 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess, is aiming for another win after defeating Doradus in her previous race over 1800m. Persian Wonder, who won the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) last start, hopes to step up in distance and quality in this upcoming stakes race. Payne plans to continue his strong performance with three-year-olds by targeting key races like the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and the VRC Oaks (2500m).
Written for “Australian Horse Racing Spring Champi…” on 2026-10-08,
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Rosehill trainer David Payne hopes a stronger and more mature Persian Wonder can handle the rise in trip in the group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on Saturday and earn a group 1 shot alongside VRC Oaks contender Proxima Dea.
asserted
Wonder → hop → Dea
Payne has both in the $500,000 Gloaming on his home track as he tries to continue his purple patch with three-year-olds.
asserted
he → have → olds
Leading the way has been Bangkok Hottie, which has gone for a spell after finishing third in the group 1 Flight Stakes last Saturday following wins in the Tea Rose and Furious Stakes.
asserted
which → lead → Rose
Unbeaten filly Proxima Dea and last-start Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) winner Persian Wonder have also been part of the run and Payne hoped they could step up again on Saturday, then continue on to the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
uncertain
they → hop → Stakes
Proxima Dea, a full sister to 2022 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess, ran down breakaway leader Doradus last start over 1800m in Midway grade, after wins over 1400m at Randwick in two-year-old grade then over 1600m in a Gosford class 1.
asserted
Dea → run → class
She has had one trial since her last start on August 29 as Payne plots a path to the group 1 Oaks (2500m) on November 5 at Flemington.
asserted
Payne → have → Flemington
She was a $4 (TAB) favourite for the Gloaming after drawing well in two with Zac Lloyd to ride.
asserted
She → draw → Lloyd
“They are both going well, but it’s quite a competitive race,” Payne said of his pair.
asserted
Payne → go → pair
“The filly is on an Oaks mission so it will be interesting to see how she shapes up against those colts, but she’s fit and she will get much further than that.
asserted
she → see → that
It was a good trial for a staying horse.
asserted
It → stay → horse
While Proxima Dea looks primed for longer trips, Payne said Persian Wonder was on trial.
asserted
Wonder → prim → trial
His two career wins have come this preparation at 1200m and 1400m.
asserted
wins → come → m
His best result in six runs as a two-year-old was second in the group 3 Baillieu over 1400m, but he then finished sixth lengths away when 10th in the group 1 Champagne Stakes at 1600m.
asserted
he → finish → 1600
He sliced through the pack late under Ash Morgan last start to win the Ming Dynasty and Payne believed he was better equipped to cope with the extra distance.
asserted
he → slice → distance
“He’s always given me the indication he wants the trip and he’s been finishing off strong over the 1400, so I think we’ll give them a crack,” said Payne, who won the Gloaming with Ace High in 2017.
asserted
who → give → 2017
“And if he does shape up, we’ll go to the Spring Champion as well, but he’s got to prove it over the 1800.
asserted
he → shape → 1800
“He’s just needed a bit of luck and I think he’s got that bit stronger.
asserted
he → need → luck
He’s putting it together now.
asserted
He → put → it
“For a while, he was always too far back, couldn’t go with them, and then he would flash home too late.
asserted
he → go → them
“He has always been a nice horse, but just immature and doing a few things wrong.
asserted
He → do → things
He’s more focused now.”
asserted
He → ’ → ?
Meanwhile, Payne, who has about 14 in work, was excited about the autumn ahead with Bangkok Hottie.
asserted
who → have → Hottie
“She’s a young filly, she hasn’t even turned three yet, so she needs to go and mature,” he said.
asserted
he → ’ → ?
“We haven’t planned anything yet, but I think she will be a much stronger filly next prep.
asserted
she → plan → anything
I’m sure she will get a mile, as long as we can give her a sit.
asserted
we → ’m → sit
We didn’t really have any cover there the other day and she hit the front a long way out.
asserted
she → have → front
She will be a better filly once we can cover her up midfield.”
asserted
we → cover → midfield
The Aporia
