Beriman-Payne stable on hunt for second Queensland winner

By Jordan Gerrans

After feeling disheartened by the stable's lack of success since opening up in Queensland, Nikita Beriman is optimistic the floodgates have opened and the Michelle Payne team can add another victory on their adopted home track this Saturday.

With the Brisbane Racing Club hosting their Saturday metropolitan meeting at Caloundra this Saturday, the Payne barn have two from their emerging team to go around.

Since setting up shop in the Sunshine State in 2021 and having their first runner in September, the Payne and Beriman combination cracked their first triumph last Saturday at Doomben as Group Think claimed the opener.

With Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Payne based in Victoria, her close mate and fellow Group 1-winning rider Beriman runs the show in Queensland, as they are based just a short drive from the Caloundra track itself.

The Payne-Beriman team went 0-7 over their first few months of the new association but they were more than pleased to finally collect a victory for the venture.

“We did have a few runners before and it was starting to get a little bit disheartening – which it can – as you put all your time and your effort into them,” Beriman said.

“I was on the phone to Michelle on Saturday when the race was on and Jim Byrne jumped straight to the front and got across without using any petrol.

“I was giving her a running commentary as her TV feed was behind me watching it at the races.

“But, it was an amazing thrill, all that hard work and effort goes into them, as well as the love, care and detail.

“When they do go past the post first – or even if it’s just them going around safely – then it is so rewarding and we just love it.”

Beriman, who turned 36 years of age on Thursday, joked that the stable bypassed the provincial circuit in chasing their first Queensland winner and went straight to town.

“Nikita is doing a fabulous job and she has got it well covered," Payne told News Corp last Saturday about her mate. 

Group Think led from start to finish over a mile in a Benchmark 72 last Saturday and heads towards a Class 6 Handicap over a similar distance seven days later.

The son of So You Think will be joined by stable-mate Nemingah at Caloundra on Saturday – with both to be ridden by leading Brisbane hoop Jim Byrne.

Like Group Think, Nemingah was previously trained by Edward O'Rourke and is owned by Emmanuel Bloodstock.

The stayer is second-up from a spell and will contest a Benchmark 85 Handicap over 2200 metres in his second effort for the stable.

“We are really happy with their work and they have come along really well,” Beriman said of both of the stables runners on Saturday.

“Group Think pulled up perfectly after his win last Saturday, so I am hoping both of them can perform really well.”

Now retired from race riding, Beriman carries the honour of being the first female jockey to win a Group 1 in Victoria and is loving her Queensland experience alongside her daughter Ella.

“It is a beautiful track with that long run in, some horses do not handle it, especially when they are trained here because they can get a bit of hot as its where they do all their work,” Beriman said.

“It is a beautiful track and a beautiful place to train so hopefully we can get a couple of winners.”

The stable have a handful in work at Caloundra, which is likely to expand in the coming months.