Todd Payne-trained Shamedy lands Deepwater Cup

The Todd Payne-trained Shamedy was a seven-length winner in the $17,000 Deepwater Cup. Image: Bradley Photos.

Saturday’s 160th anniversary of the Deepwater Cup delivered a win for the ages and a long-awaited victory for many owners in the time-honoured feature event. 

Raced by Luke Berger and a proud syndicate of owners from all over Inverell, Texas, Moree, Glen Innes, and Deepwater, the Todd Payne-trained Shamedy was a seven-length winner in the $17,000 Deepwater Cup (1400m).

Ridden by Cobi Vitler, the four-year-old was a class above his rivals, putting a gap on runner-up Toulon Factor (Leeshelle Small, $3.50) from the Jane Clement stable, while 11 lengths off the winner and in third was the Rodney Hay-trained Legend Of Zorro (Tessa Townsend, $8). 

“We went there pretty confident,” Payne said. 

“The E-Trakka gave us a fair bit of a guide that he would take a lot of beating on his track work, and we changed a bit of gear.

“The only thing that we thought might beat him was the track; Deepwater is a front-runner’s track, and he is a get-back horse, but he was ridden well, and there was no doubt before the corner.”

A $10,500 purchase via Bloodstock Auction in late October, Payne explained that Berger and connections bought the Better Than Ready gelding as a Country Cup campaigner. 

“Luke Berger got a syndicate going and bought the horse with people from around here, and we had the Texas, Inverell, Glen Innes, and Deepwater Cups in mind,” Payne said.

“Some of the guys involved have been trying to win that race for 40 years or something, so it was a great result; they were really happy and rapt with the win.

“Plus, it was a great day out, and the club did a great job hosting a really good day.”

Payne said it was a team effort, with Vitler and his hard-working stable deserving all the credit.

“When he (Vitler) is on the right horse, we’ve had a bit of success with him, and it was a good ride,” Payne said. 

“Plus, I couldn’t do it without the team at home and the boys that ride work and girls on the ground; without them, I wouldn’t be able to go in every morning.”

In terms of what’s next for Shamedy, Payne wasn’t entirely sure.

Now a seven-time winner, the Inverell-trained galloper is racing in good form, having previously finished fourth in the Inverell Cup on New Year’s Day, beaten just one-and-a-half lengths by winner Ella Ta Ama. 

Formerly trained in Queensland by Graeme Green, Shamedy won six races up north, including the $85,000 QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Now a seasoned galloper, Payne is leaving his options open. 

“We don’t know yet; we had those local cups planned but haven’t mapped out much of a plan after that,” Payne replied when asked what’s next.

“There’s a few races around, but nothing is locked in.” 

Payne wasn’t the only Inverell trainer to taste success at Deepwater on Saturday, with Danni Schreck finding her way back into the winner’s circle. 

Racing Take The Bribe ($6), Vitler was again in the saddle as the five-year-old won the 1200m Maiden Handicap at his 13 start.