Payne hopes flying finish lifts Allasandra to stakes level

A successful end to a breakthrough preparation by in-form filly Allasandra would encourage trainer David Payne to set his sights higher when she returns later this year.

The three-year-old has come of age with a hat-trick and will look to make it four wins on end in the Furphy Handicap (1300m) at Kensington on Wednesday.

Payne said he was wary Allasandra is into her fourth month of her prep and doesn’t want to go to the well too often with a filly he says still has enormous upside and potential to reach stakes level.

“She’s a progressive filly. I think this will be her last run and then I’ll spell her,” Payne said.

“She’s been up a long time, so I’d like to give her a bit of a spell then we’ll look to step her out over further. She’s a big rangy filly and she’s bred to do it, we just haven’t had the opportunity, at the moment.”

Allasandra didn’t make her debut until late in her two-year-old season and didn’t snare her maiden win until her ninth start, which was on a heavy track at Wyong in April.

The form around the filly since her first win has been encouraging, particularly from her Class 1 success at Newcastle where she beat subsequent winners Time Quest and Smart Legend.

After an easy Kensington win over 1400m on June 14 she was due to contest last weekend’s Midway but Payne elected to scratch when she drew a wide alley. So far it’s proven to be the right move given she’ll jump from three in Wednesday’s assignment.

Payne said the track conditions will be of no concern to Allasandra, who has won on both good and heavy tracks, and just hopes the 100m drop in trip doesn’t play against her.