Payne returns with Flemington double

MICHELLE Payne returns from both suspension and mystery illness to ride at Flemington today.

Payne, now fit and “feeling great” after months of ill health, takes two rides at Flemington, then heads to Europe.

Her reappearance at Flemington comes after a month’s suspension over a positive drug test to an appetite suppressant.

“I’d had some medication which hadn’t worked, including the one that resulted in the positive (drug) test,” she said. “But I feel great. “I’ve been keeping fit on a cross trainer and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead.”

Payne rides both Vain Glorious and Invincible Al at Flemington before flying to England in early August for the Shergar Cup.

She will be accompanied by her brother-in-law, top Sydney jockey Kerrin McEvoy.