Former South African trainer, David Payne cracked an Australian Group 1 at Randwick on Saturday after Tye Angland teamed up with Payne aboard Ace High.

The jockey had a most difficult of choices to make when choosing to ride this horse over attending his brother's wedding. 

Ace High was the choice in the $500,000 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) with his brothers blessings. 

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make but Cody gave me his blessing to ride,’’ Angland said.

“I can’t even make it to the reception because it is in the middle of nowhere at a place called Springsure (near Emerald) in central Queensland. But I’m sure they have had a great day and as he said you don’t get many chances to win a Group 1 at Randwick.’’r

The cracking front running ride on Ace High was produced in front of a healthy crowd of 17,757.

Trainer Payne won for his long time client John Cordina. 

“John has been a loyal client since 2003 but this is our first Group 1 win together,’’ Payne said. “I’m really happy for him because he loves his racing.’’ said Payne. 

Payne has always been a world class trainer and many believed that had he remained in South Africa, he would have stormed to numerous champion titles.

Image Wayne Aldridge