Payne has Victory in sights for dream goal
MELBOURNE Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne hopes imported galloper Cape Victory can help her realise another dream – a Cox Plate ride.
Payne came close in 2017 when international runner Kaspersky made the field to tackle the legend Winx, only to be scratched on race day.
“I’ve had three rides that have been scratched either the night before or the morning of the Cox Plate,” said Payne, who now also trains.
“It’s absolutely my favourite race, obviously apart from the Melbourne Cup.
“The Cox Plate is a really special race and I haven’t had a chance to ride in it.
“To be able to ride one of my own would be unbelievable and a dream come true.”
Cape Victory arrived at Payne’s Ballarat stable this year. The northern hemisphere four-year-old was bought by one of Payne’s big supporters, First Light Racing, with a view to aim for the spring carnival majors.
“He took a bit to acclimatise … but (he’s a) really, really nice horse,” Payne said. “Showed really good ability, so we have put the nomination in.”
Lightly raced Cape Victory had nine starts in England for two wins, including an eightlength romp over 1800m, four seconds and a third.
The son of Dawn Approach will make his Australian debut at Sandown next Wednesday.
“It will be short (of his best distance), but it will be good to kick him off and see him out on the track,” Payne said.
“He’s a real character, very lazy in his trackwork, he just does what he has to. But you can feel he definitely has got a big engine in there. Really looking forward to seeing what we have on our hands.”
Cape Victory is $201 in the Cox Plate with Ladbrokes.