Payne Mulls Over Cup Tilt For Defibrillate

Patrick Payne wanted to see Defibrillate win with more authority but he will still consider an Australian Cup berth for the winner of his past four starts.

will consider raising the stakes for after he recorded his fourth successive win in the Cup Prelude.

Defibrillate took the front early in the straight and proved too strong for his rivals to take out the 2000 metre opening event at .

Payne said Defibrillate was nominated for the Group One at on March 6 but he would examine the strength of the race before committing to a start.

“With horses like Arcadia Queen and others not going to that race, it might be an opportunity,” Payne said.

“I’m also mindful of not racing him too far outside of his handicap. I’ll need to see where his rating goes after this.”

Payne said he would have liked to see Defibrillate win with more authority if he was going to try to emulate the effort of his sire by claiming an Australian Cup.

He suggested the Mornington Cup might be a better option.

Defibrillate ($2.45 fav) held off a determined challenge from San Huberto ($31) to by a long neck with ($6.50) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.

A race later Oxley Road made it two wins from two starts when successful in the Group Three Zeditave Stakes over 1200 metres and trainer said he was only doing it on raw ability.

“He still doesn’t quite know what to do. He’s a very good colt,” Moody said.

Oxley Road, a brother to Group One-winning sprinter Exceedance, has led throughout in both of his wins and Moody says he has got a bit lost both times.

However, when allowed to sit off the speed in a trial, Moody said Oxley Road had displayed a turn of foot indicative of a weight-for-age galloper.

Oxley Road ($2.50 fav) defeated It’sourtime ($3.40) by 1-3/4 lengths with Valaquenta ($5) the same distance away third.

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