A few days ago David Payne didn't expect to have a runner in the Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.Emperor Bonaparte was nominated for the 1600-metre race but was well down the order of entry to gain a start.But when just 15 horses were paid up for the Epsom on Wednesday, Payne suddenly found himself with a runner in the $350,000 feature.While it was a pleasant surprise, it left him with a quandary."He got a run but we had to find a jockey," Payne said."There weren't too many left
A few days ago David Payne didn't expect to have a runner in the Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.
Emperor Bonaparte was nominated for the 1600-metre race but was well down the order of entry to gain a start.
But when just 15 horses were paid up for the Epsom on Wednesday, Payne suddenly found himself with a runner in the $350,000 feature.
While it was a pleasant surprise, it left him with a quandary.
"He got a run but we had to find a jockey," Payne said.
"There weren't too many left."
Payne eventually secured the services of veteran New Zealand hoop Noel Harris who is in Sydney to maintain his partnership with Six O'Clock News in Saturday's Metropolitan Handicap (2400m).
Emperor Bonaparte was originally slated to be one of Six O'Clock News' rivals in that race until his last-start seventh to Ready To Lift in the Kingston Town Stakes over 2000 metres.
"I thought he would be a Metropolitan horse but he doesn't stay so we've freshened him up to go for the Epsom," Payne said.
"He didn't see the 2000 metres out last start.
"He can get a mile (1600m) easily, he won over 1800 metres two starts ago so he will have no problem with the trip."
While the distance will be no problem, Payne concedes Emperor Bonaparte is being thrown in the deep end when it comes to class.
He is a stakeswinner but the Epsom will be his first test at Group One level and Payne isn't sure whether the gelding will be up to it.
"That's what we will find out on Saturday," he said.
"He is entitled to be there. He won a Listed race a couple of starts back so we will take our chances."
One punter believes Emperor Bonaparte can handle the class rise with TAB Sportsbet reporting a wager of $500 on the gelding shortly after the final field was declared.
He subsequently firmed from $61 in to $41 but TAB spokesman Glenn Munsie said he believed the top two in betting, $3 favourite Rangirangdoo and $4.40 second elect Drumbeats who fought out the finish of the Shannon Stakes last start, looked the hardest to beat.
But he doesn't think punters necessarily have them in the right order.
"Realistically there is not a great deal between Rangirangdoo and Drumbeats," Munsie said.
"A lot of people are saying Rangirangdoo would have won the Shannon if he didn't hang in but Drumbeats was having just his second start in 12 months so he will improve a lot.
"He did win a 1600-metre race over the Melbourne carnival last year while Rangirangdoo is having his first start at the trip."
Munsie also rates $21 hope Mr Baritone a chance at odds in an Epsom field he feels falls short of the quality of recent years.
"It's not a vintage Epsom," Munsie said.