KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Trainer David Payne will set 2-year-old Vecchia Roma for the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast in January but not before she takes her next step at Rosehill today.
Payne has confidence in the last start winner, although she will carry an extra 5.5kg in the Jacob's Creek Sparkling Handicap (1100m).
"She's well up in the weights (55.5kg) but I think there is enough improvement from her last run to make up for that," Payne said.
Vecchia Roma, a A$75,000 ($87,730) yearling, lowered the colours of more expensive rivals Arlington (A$1.55 million) and Pistols ($A1.1 million) in her last start win on October 28.
"That was a very good run, she managed to put a good break on them and they couldn't catch her," Payne said.
"Tomorrow there are plenty of first timers and hopefully her experience will give her another good chance for a win."
The A$1 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) will be run on January 13 and Payne is keen to be there with Vecchia Roma.
"That's our main goal with her at this stage but we'll see how she pulls up after tomorrow before we get too far ahead of ourselves," Payne said.
Meanwhile, Payne declared stakeswinner Dream Machine in top order for today's Ready Workforce Handicap (1900m).
"She's the fittest she's ever been this campaign," Payne said.
The mare's fourth to Zedaction over 1900m at Rosehill on November 4 cost her a start in today's group two Sandown Classic (2400m).
- AAP
