Paddy, 82, out to add to Payne tale

THERE’S a film being made about the Payne family’s extraordinary racing journey but if the fairytale script goes to plan at Flemington today, there might need to be a sequel.

Paddy Payne, the 82-yearold patriarch of one of racing’s most recognisable broods, will today join forces as a trainer with his jockey-daughter Michelle and strapper-son Stevie – as well as a filly he bought for $10,500 – to chase the $1 million Group 1 VRC Oaks.

If the trio pull off the unlikely success with $51 chance Miner’s Miss, it will go down as a remarkable comeback.

Paddy retired from training seven years ago, content to sit back and watch the successes of his sons and daughters, mostly famously with Michelle’s history-making Melbourne Cup victory on Prince of Penzance in 2014.

“I thought I had given training away for good but the kids talked me into getting a licence again (late last year),” he said.

“They said I wasn’t doing enough with my time.”