Exciting young Australian jockey Patrick Payne lit up Happy Valley last night with a brilliant, 2,250-1 four-timer.
Payne, the riding sensation from Victoria, took the second and fourth events on David Hayes' talented first-season imports, Topspin and Kewins, the opener on Bruce Hutchison's Senator and the last on the Gary Ng Ting-keung-trained Best One.
Payne has now ridden 10 winners since starting a Club Jockey stint at the beginning of March, while Hayes' double lifted him alongside defending champion Ivan Allan at the head of the trainer standings on the 37-winner mark.
Hayes' double, as well as doing him the power of good in the race for training honours, also left him singing Payne's praises.
'He's a fantastic young rider. I'd have to say that he has this Happy Valley circuit well and truly sussed out and it can be a very tricky place to ride, especially when the rail is out and the ground on the inside is churned up,' said Hayes.
'Damien [Oliver] was very good round here but Patrick looks just as good and is probably the equal of Damien as a jockey. They are both two extremely talented riders. World-class.' Hayes' newcomer, Topspin, pulled right away from his rivals to score like a quality recruit when taking the 1,200-metre, Class Four second event by half a length from Sound Lover, with the favourite Citadel finishing on strongly out wide.