Michelle Payne’s 2016 Melbourne Cup bid in serious doubt
AN owner of last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, Prince Of Penzance, has stated that regular rider Michelle Payne faces a “near impossible” task of being fit to ride in this year.
John Richards said that while Payne was back riding, it would be a tough task for her to be fit enough to take the ride in the $6 million Melbourne Cup.
It doesn’t look good for Payne who is looking to win back-to-back Melbourne Cups, based on the comments from both Richards and Darren Weir earlier in the week.
Payne has been sidelined after suffering a serious fall at Mildura in May and lack of race fitness is the camps biggest worry.
“She is back riding work but she hasn’t got her jockey’s licence and while physically she’s building up, she’s yet to have any raceday fitness. That is so important,” Richards said.
“To be honest, I fear she faces a near impossible task. I think she feels she will be back in time but we are not optimistic.
“His (Prince Of Penzance) first start is coming up and if she can’t ride him, we’ve then got to look around and have someone ready to replace her.
“It’s a Melbourne Cup and plans have got to be made.”
Prince Of Penzance will resume in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 10 following a one-start campaign where it rattled home for second at Morphettville.
Payne was aboard the champion stayer and she said earlier in the week that her passion to ride in the spring carnival still exists. She told Australia Women’s Weekly that she had “the fire back in the belly”.
Prince Of Penzance won paying $101 in 2015, but is currently $34 at Sportsbet for this year’s running.