Patrick Payne.
PATRICK Payne has claimed a major training jumping triumph with Awakening Dream taking out the $250,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase, 5500m, in Warrnambool today.
Second in the race last year, Awakening Dream outclassed his rivals with a bold frontrunning ride by Steve Pateman.
Vindicating was second, with Pentacolo third.
Pateman has been one of the stars of the three-day Warrnambool May Carnival.
This gives him five wins from the six jumps races.
He won two for Robert Smerdon on Tuesday and another for Smerdon yesterday and now a double today.
While Payne has his training base at Plumpton near Rockbank, he continues close ties with Ballarat where he grew up to become one of the Australia's leading jockeys before turning to training.
Payne also had a stint as a jumps jockey at the end of his riding career.
His father Paddy still lives next Dowling Forest.
Patrick thanked the contributions of his father and sister, jockey Michelle, after the win.
Payne said Awakening Dream had been made for "this race".
"He's stamina on stamina.".
He said Awakening Dream did not the quality for the "Nationals", but was honest and the Grand Annual was a perfect fit.
This is the Payne family's second win of the carnival.
Patrick's brother, Ballarat-based Andrew, combined with his jockey-sister Michelle to win with Bachelor Royal on Tuesday.