David Payne is credited with the understatement of the year when he says that his Wyong-bound filly Desert Flame is ‘knocking on the door’.
Hammering more like it, and if ‘form’ counts for anything, Payne will have to start looking for a suitable Class 1 for the daughter of Pride Of Dubai come Monday.
Desert Flame is back in class (and how) after her last start third at Warwick Farm when although well behind, she refused to yield any ground in the run to the line.
“I think he (the jockey) would have been better off letting her stride,’’ Payne said.