Payne told to delete celebratory tweet
MICHELLE Payne tweeted on Saturday that she was cleared to ride Husson Eagle in the Magic Millions in January, but Queensland stewards have advised Payne to retract her statement.
Payne tweeted her excitement about being cleared to ride the last start winner on Magic Millions day and was hoping Racing NSW would follow suit, but Racing Queensland chief steward Allan Reardon states it’s simply not the case.
Cleared to defend our title @mmsnippets Sprint at the Gold Coast January ??? #sohappy… https://t.co/ijIIqYZtUj
— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) November 25, 2016
“There is no approval and she should take it off her Twitter,” Reardon said.
“I was at Caloundra (on Friday night) and I received a call from our office saying she may be putting in an application.
“I said if that is the case we will consider it but we haven’t given her approval as of (Saturday).
“My view is we have a dual licence but they’re for people in outback Queensland to train and ride their own horses to provide a service for the industry but not for people in the metropolitan or southeast Queensland area.
So happy!! Would be devastating to miss this little champ in trying to go back to back @mmsnippets Desperately hoping @RacingNSW will abide. https://t.co/Ybmz3qgNQ7
— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) November 25, 2016
“That’s my view but whether that will hold at the licensing meeting, I’m not sure.”
Australian Jockeys’ Association general manager Des O’Keeffe said that Payne has applied to ride in Queensland and a decision will be made this week.
Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys said its stance on the dual license holder rule had not changed, which will likely result in Payne not riding Husson Eagle next Saturday.