Michelle Payne will partner Yosei in a track gallop on Tuesday morning ahead of riding her in Saturday’s Group One $500,000 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.
Payne, who suffered neck fractures in a race fall at Caulfield more than four months ago, has been back in the race saddle for three weeks.
She can’t wait to be reunited with Yosei, a filly she rode to Group One victories in the 2010 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Payne hasn’t been aboard the Invincible Spirit three-year-old since she finished 10th behind Brazilian Pulse in the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 4.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Payne said.
“I’m flying up to Brisbane today (Monday) to gallop her tomorrow and then I’m coming back to ride at Kyneton.”
Yosei has had two unplaced runs so far this preparation when sixth to Dubleanny in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington first-up on May 21 and 14th to Hurtle Myrtle in the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 4.
“This Saturday looks like it will be her best run this preparation,” Payne said.
“It’s going to be the toughest ask but she’s had a couple of runs under her belt now so she should run at her best hopefully.
“She did a terrific job to finish as close as she did first-up down the straight carrying 56kg against the older horses.
“Then second-up she went all right, she did what we expected her to do.”
Saturday’s 1400m fillies and mares weight-for-age feature has attracted 18 nominations including the classy Beaded, winner of the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1350m), Zero Rock, Varenna Miss, Culminate and Hurtle Myrtle.
“It will be hard to beat Beaded unless she has an off day. She’s such a good mare,” Payne said.
“Yosei has a good record against her own age and we’re just hoping really.”
Payne has ridden four winners from 32 rides since returning from injury.
“It takes a long time to get your race fitness back but I’m feeling really good,” she said.
AAP TURF
