The usually reserved David Payne was a bundle of excitement after emerging juvenile Masquerader rocketed into Golden Slipper contention with a brilliant win in the Group Two Todman Stakes at Rosehill.Payne raised his arms in victory and pumped his fist as Masquerader came with a withering run from back in the field to reel in the previously unbeaten Decision Time and win the 1200m feature, while Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness never threatened and will be spelled.Masquerader has not been

The usually reserved David Payne was a bundle of excitement after emerging juvenile Masquerader rocketed into Golden Slipper contention with a brilliant win in the Group Two Todman Stakes at Rosehill.

Payne raised his arms in victory and pumped his fist as Masquerader came with a withering run from back in the field to reel in the previously unbeaten Decision Time and win the 1200m feature, while Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness never threatened and will be spelled.

Masquerader has not been nominated for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on Easter Saturday because he was bought at a ready-to-run sale and his original connections didn't pay up for his inclusion, but Payne says the colt's current owners will fork out the $150,000 late entry fee.

"This is a genuine horse, he could be my Slipper horse," Payne said.

"At his first run he did everything wrong but he still won and in my experience over the years only good horses do that.

"He's still learning but he'll be ready for the Slipper.

"I've had five or six runners in the Slipper but this is the best one."

Masquerader ($14) scored by a long neck over Decision Time ($5) with first starter Carved In Stone ($21) a further 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Star Witness was sent out the $2.40 favourite and travelled just off the speed but was one of the first horses beaten and finished second last.

When questioned by stewards about the disappointing run, jockey Nick Hall said the colt was stirred up before the race but travelled well until the home turn.

"But he's a hot horse, he was like that last start," Hall said.

"He got a check in the straight but he was beaten by that stage, it's a big trip for a two-year-old anyway, he just might not have handled it."

Trainer Danny O'Brien concurred and said Star Witness would not press on to the Slipper and would be spelled.

Michael Rodd, who has been booked for Beneteau in the Golden Slipper, brought up a juvenile stakes race double aboard Masquerader after guiding Military Rose to victory in the Reisling Stakes.

He was impressed by both youngsters and said Masquerader was still learning.

"He's not foolproof but if the Slipper is run like that race today, which it often is, he's going to be suited," Rodd said.

Connections of Decision Time are still to decide whether to pay the late entry fee to run in the Slipper but jockey Craig Williams believes they should.

"He's a top five finisher (in the Slipper)," Williams said.

Payne is yet to lock in a jockey for Masquerader in the Slipper and says he will let the dust settle before making a decision.