Nine years after trailblazer Michelle Payne became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup, a record contingent of four jockeys will seek their second victory in Australia’s most prestigious horse race on Tuesday. Payne’s 100/1 victory over Prince of Penzance in the 155th Cup in 2015 is now part of Australian sporting lore, his victory going down as a memorable “filler” to critics and doubters.
This will be the pinnacle of her riding career, but her legacy will be the growing number of women who saddle up for the “race that stops a nation”. “Every year they’ve had the chance, we’ve fought for it,” Payne a 39 years old, who retired as a jockey this year, told Australian media.
“So it will be a great moment to see one of them make the most of this opportunity and take (the trophy) home.”The field of 23 includes New Zealand’s Winona Costin, presenter Jamie Kah and Britain’s Rachel King and Hollie Doyle.
Kah, who finished third in the 2020 Prince of Arran, will ride local trainer Okita Soushi in the grueling 3,200m handicap at Flemington Racecourse three days after Derby Day which I plan to ride.
She won two races, including the 2500m Victoria Derby at Flemington last Saturday, after her horse Herry Curry suffered a suspected broken nose while jumping over hurdles in an earlier race.
She was banned 10 times for reckless driving earlier in the conference, but that didn’t include winning the $8 million ($5.28 million) Melbourne Cup.
King rides Card, trained by Oopy MacGillivray, and Doyle rides Sea King, trained by Harry Eustace. Like Payne, Costin will also ride the Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity to a 100-1 performance in his first Melbourne Cup. “I can’t wait to get there,” the 30-year-old Australian told the media. “It’s been my dream since I was little, and now that dream is coming true. “I think he has a very good chance, positively. “I think he’s going on a trip, but there’s no drama.”The strong female surprise is a welcome development for a race that once attracted crowds of 100,000 but has seen a decline in interest in recent years.
Horse deaths and strong protests by animal welfare groups have reduced the population over the past decade.
Since authorities have tightened safety standards for the words, there have been no fatalities in the last three races.
However, some experts are concerned that the protocols are too strict, making it difficult for foreign coaches to participate.
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien criticized the stewards last week for their decision to ax Jan Bruegel, one of the early favorites for the race. This is because the assessment found the horse to be at high risk of injury.
This field was reduced to 23 items on Monday after consultation with veterinarians due to ATHABASKAN heart defects.
Only four of Tuesday’s competitors are trained by trainers outside Australia and New Zealand, down from 11 in 2019. Irish trainer Willie Mullins has the best chance at a foreign stable with Vauban, his seven-year-old colt who broke the pack on Monday.
Trained by Chris Waller, Buckaroo is the bookies’ favorite. Mullins hasn’t won a trophy in over 20 years and hopes his perseverance will pay off at Vauban. Last year, the team was the favorite but finished 14th.
