New Zealander Ross Payne back training in Victoria

New Zealand horseman Ross Payne makes his Australian race return as a trainer at Kilmore on Wednesday, March 20.

These will be his first starters in Australia in more than five years.

His last starter on this side of the Tasman was outstanding young trotter Blitzthemcalder at Melton on August 18 in 2013.

His most successful season in Australia was 2004-05 when he had 18 wins from just 69 drives.

Payne moved back to NZ in 2014 to take on the role of stable foreman at Mark Purdon’s All Stars Stable – leaving after Blitzthemcalder had taken out the Victorian Trotters’ Derby.

He left the role with Purdon after 14 months.

Payne returned to Victoria earlier this year to help trainer Vince Vallelonga.

However, with Vallelonga now serving a disqualification Payne finds himself back in charge of his own team, including some horses previously trained by Vallelonga.

Payne has two starters at Kilmore to relaunch his training career – TORRID SAINT in the TRACKSIDE BISTRO 3YO PACE and COURAGEOUS SAINT in the TRIPLE TREAT HARNESS @ TRACKSIDE C3-C4 PACE.

Payne also takes the drives on the former Vallelonga-trained duo.

He backs up with another two in the SINGATURE CLEAN 4 YOU VICBRED CO PACE in Ballarat on Thursday, March 21 – first starter SLUDGE and HEAVEN ATTRACTS.

From there it is off to Shepparton with ALL DONE UP on Friday, March 22.