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By Ray Hickson

Trainer David Payne is adamant Bazooka will retire with many more wins against his name than his record currently shows and he’s confident he’s made the right call by lining up at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

The four-year-old has won once in 21 starts, that win was at his third race start, is a dual Group 3 placegetter so clearly has the ability but has strung together a frustrating run of four placings on end this time in.

After considering another Benchmark 72 at Kensington, Payne elected to drop him into a Class 1 in the TAB Handicap (1800m) where he’ll carry 61.5kg.

“It’s been unbelievable, he’s been unlucky. He goes back and you’re always going to get that,’’ Payne said.

“I think he’s going to retire a multiple winner don’t worry. He was a late foal and we haven’t seen the best of him yet.”

Bazooka, runner-up in the Group 3 Up & Coming Stakes and Ming Dynasty as a three-year-old, was $1.90 favourite with TAB on Wednesday.

Bazooka runs third at Randwick on August 7

He has been a sectional star in many of his recent placings, he posted a last 600m of 34.02 (Punter's Intelligence) in his last start third behind Gemmahra in a Midway at Randwick on August 7. His last 200m of 11.49 was two lengths faster than any other runner.

Payne said the gelding’s talent is there for everyone to see and while he has top weight and the outside in an eight horse field they won’t be excuses.

“The other day the draw was against him and I think he dropped the bit early, it’s hard to say but it was a very good run,’’ Payne said.

“There’s only eight runners so he’s not going to be that far back. It’s a long straight and he’s got a good turn of foot as you can see by his sectionals.”

The Rosehill trainer has five runners across the Hawkesbury program and singled out Otelo in the St John’s Park Bowling Club Plate (1100m) as a good chance to break his maiden status.

The three-year-old, $10 with TAB, was beaten under three lengths by Lovemetender at Kensington when resuming and Payne is adamant he should have finished a lot closer.

“He should have run a place at his last run, he was held up a few times in the straight,’’ Payne said.

“It was his first run back so there is improvement in him and he has a soft draw. So he will go close.”

Stable star Montefilia is set to resume in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 4 after coming through her second trial this preparation in great order.

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Hawkesbury meeting