Payne delight at twist of gate
MICHELLE Payne watched the Melbourne Cup barrier draw with her best mate — brother Stevie — and neither could believe the “eerie” twist of fate.
Five years earlier, Stevie famously drew barrier one for Payne’s Prince, and now Jamie Kah’s Prince had drawn the same gate.
On reflection, Michelle Payne thinks she could have become the first female jockey to win the Cup only if she had either barrier one or two for Prince Of Penzance in 2015.
She is sure the barrier matters less to Kah who is trying to walk in Payne’s footsteps when she rides popular UK raider Prince Of Arran on Tuesday.
But there were some interesting scenes in the Payne household when Michelle and Stevie, and family patriarch Paddy, watched the Melbourne Cup barrier draw on TV on Saturday night.
“We were sitting here together and we all looked at each other and shook our heads — it was really eerie,” Michelle Payne said.
“Jamie getting the same barrier as I did was amazing and then there is the names of the horses as well, both ‘Princes’.
“Stevie didn’t draw this barrier, but he absolutely loved watching it.”
Payne and Kah are great mates and have already forged a special bond, holidaying together in the US last year with a fellow female hoop, the now retired Nikita Beriman.
Payne has no doubt history can repeat and Kah can win the Melbourne Cup and inspire another generation of up-and-coming female riders.
“Prince Of Arran looks a lovely sweet ride so barrier one is maybe not as beneficial for her as it was for me with Prince Of Penzance,” Payne said.
“Barrier one really helped me because Prince Of Penzance was such a keen-going horse I didn’t want to have to dig him up and put him into a position or even jostle for one.
“Jamie has now got so many options as to where she wants to place her horse in the run.
“You still need a lot of luck from barrier one, but you would prefer to be drawn there than the outside.
“I’d say her horse is pretty straightforward and probably could have drawn anywhere between one to 10 and been quite comfortable with the draw.
“But if you have drawn barrier one, you certainly take it.”
Prince Of Arran, who has run placings in the past two Cups, has been a firmer in betting and is rated a $10 chance to give Kah a dream result.
1. ANTHONY VAN DYCK
IRELAND
Trainer: Aidan O’brien Jockey: Hugh Bowman Barrier: 3
Last horse to carry No.1 saddlecloth and win was Makybe Diva back in 2005. This horse can win after producing one of the runs of the race from back in the Caulfield Cup behind Verry Elleegant. Barrier 3 will make Hugh Bowman’s ride easier.
9. STRATUM ALBION
Willie Mullins Jordan Childs 9 He wasn’t beaten far in a Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3200m) in England before making his way to Australia. Willie
Mullens has had success previously following a similar path into the race with Max Dynamite, who was so close twice. Top trainer must be respected.
Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman
Daniel Stackhouse 5
The Kiwi galloper must not be discounted after his third in the Caulfield Cup. He was beaten five lengths in last year’s Cup but is in better shape. Ran second in the Sydney Cup to Etah James on a heavy track and will get a soft run in barrier five.
2. AVILIUS
Barrier: