PALMER’S PAYNE-STAKING TRANSFORMATION
DRESSED down in denim garbs and sporting dark locks, Teresa Palmer’s transformation into Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne is complete.
This is the first official image from the movie Ride Like A Girl, which is being directed by award winning actor Rachel Griffiths.
Palmer is flanked by Sam Neill, who plays Paddy Payne, Michelle’s father, who raised Michelle and her nine siblings as a single father.
The star cast also includes Sullivan Stapleton as horse trainer Darren Weir, with Brooke Satchwell and Sophia Forrest to play Payne’s sisters.
A young Michelle is played by Summer North and a young Stevie Payne is played by Gryffin Morrison. Stevie, who has Down syndrome, features as himself in later scenes.
Genevieve Morris has the role of Michelle’s racing manager, which was first speculated as going to Jacki Weaver.
In the third week of filming, Palmer said she was revelling in the role of a lifetime.
“Michelle’s story is so incredible and absolutely inspiring to me,’’ Palmer said.
“It’s not just about what happened in 2015 with the Melbourne Cup, it’s really about the lead up to that and everything she faced. All the adversity that came her way and how she just persevered.
“It’s about family and it’s one of the most heartwarming stories I’ve ever come across. It’s beautiful.”
Payne’s other siblings will be played by Anneliese Apps, Katie Castles, Veronica Thomas, Zara Zoe, Aaron Glenane and Henry Nixon.
Griffiths said: “We are celebrating both Michelle’s resilience and athletic brilliance, as well as her sisters’ inspiring achievements in the sport before her.
“We also explore the profound impact of those men who gave her opportunities and stood by her at critical moments and hope to inspire more men to become champions of change.”
The film is slated to open in cinemas across Australia later in 2019.