Patrick Payne's plan to coax the best out of Fieldmaster has paid dividends when the gelding took out the $100,000 Launceston Cup first up from a spell at Devonport today.Speaking after the victory, Payne said he set the son of Black Minnaloushe the first up challenge in a bid to try and cash in on both the six-year-old's first up ability as well as his habit of saving his best form for when he travels."He's a pretty good galloper on his day, he's a bit of a thinking, cunning sort of a hors

Patrick Payne's plan to coax the best out of Fieldmaster has paid dividends when the gelding took out the $100,000 Launceston Cup first up from a spell at Devonport today.

Speaking after the victory, Payne said he set the son of Black Minnaloushe the first up challenge in a bid to try and cash in on both the six-year-old's first up ability as well as his habit of saving his best form for when he travels.

"He's a pretty good galloper on his day, he's a bit of a thinking, cunning sort of a horse, very intelligent," Payne said.

"When you travel him he seems to run his best races, where as at home he gets a bit complacent.

"That was the idea behind bringing him over here and it's worked."

Sent out on the third line of betting at $5.90, Fieldmaster settled in a midfield position for jockey Steven Arnold on the back of a hot tempo set by outsider Makes Cents ($27.20) who was determined to hold the lead ahead of favourite The Cleaner ($2.60).

After kicking clear by as much as eight lengths coming to the home turn, the two leaders were swallowed up entering the home straight as Arnold settled down to do battle with Craig Newitt who was shooting for his fourth win of the day aboard Lightly Spiced (9.70).

Though it briefly appeared as though Lightly Spiced had the momentum, Fieldmaster surged again for Arnold on the inside scoring by just under a length on the line.

Payne said Fieldmaster would follow a similar path to last year and would head to the Jockey Club Cup (2100m) at Hobart, a race he won last year, before tackling the Group 3 Hobart (2200m) and Launceston Cups (2400m).

Craig Newitt went on to take the riding honours for the day when he claimed his fourth victory aboard Rebel Bride ($3.40) in the Adam Brooks MP Handicap (1150m).

Newitt earlier partnered Sariana's Quest (1.90F) to win Race 2 and Windedo ($2.60F) in Race 3, however it was his 8.3 length demolition on Unoaked ($3.20F) that was the pick of his four home-state victories. (www.racingvictoria.net.au)