Grant Payne returning to Eastwood Lodge

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 55

Grant Payne returning to Eastwood Lodge

By

JEFF SCOTT

Grant Payne, who for the last seven years has been assisting the Cambridge trainer, Charlie Hunter, is to return to his home province next month to take up a position as assistant studmaster at Prebbleton’s Eastwood Lodge. Payne will return to work for Sam Ballantyne, whom he worked for for five years before his stint in the north.

“I encouraged him to work for someone else and gain further experi-

ence,” said Ballantyne yesterday. “Grant went to North America with Charlie and Brian Meale and I am delighted having someone of his background working at Eastwood Lodge,” he added.

Grant, a brother of Ross, who trains at Rangiora, and Greg, who also trains, at Rolleston, has driven the winners of 71 races, including a personal best of 16 to date this season. He has also gained 19 placings from 124 drives this season, for a UDR rating of .2016.

Payne, who takes up his new position on June 1, was married 11 days ago. His position with Charlie Hunter is being filled by Gary Smith, who enjoyed a successful association with the Cambridge trainer in the early 1980 s before leaving the harness racing industry for a few years.

While Payne will primarily be occupied with looking after the stud operations at Eastwood Lodge, he and ■ his employer are to take out a joint training licence for a

small private team “if they are good enough to get to the racing stage,” Ballantyne said. Ballantyne has been without a horse racing since Folie Bergere, placed in the inaugural Cigna Stakes Final behind Billbob, was returned to her owners, the Grice brothers of Ashburton. He has three yearlings shaping promisingly; a brother to Folie Bergere (Plat du Jour — Del Parole), a Smooth Fella—Countess Brandon filly, and a Noodlum filly.