Michelle Payne is hoping to add her name to the Doncaster Mile honour roll on Saturday, 20 years after her brother Patrick won the famous race as an apprentice.
“I was only about six but I remember it was such an exciting thing,” Payne said of her brother’s 1992 Doncaster victory on Soho Square.
“He was only 16 and everyone was just thrilled to bits. To win it 20 years later would be a huge thrill.”
Payne will partner the Stuart Webb-trained Yosei in the $2 million Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick, the same horse she has already won three Group Ones on including the 2010 Sires’ Produce Stakes at the Sydney venue.
Yosei is at $26 with TAB Sportsbet and Payne gives the four-year-old a genuine chance.
“I always look forward to riding her so I’m looking forward to getting up to Sydney, especially with the way the weather is up there,” Payne said.
Randwick has been hit with 150mm of rain in 48 hours to be rated a heavy (9) which Payne believes her mount will relish.
“Her only try on a really heavy track was in the Myer Classic (in 2010) when Glen Boss rode her and she pulled up with the thumps that day so that was a genuine excuse,” Payne said.
“It’s hard to be confident going into a Group One but I think she’s as good as she can be, she’s only got 52 kilos and I think she’ll really get through the heavy ground.
“So I’m pretty confident she’ll go really well.”
Yosei has had two Sydney appearances so far this campaign, finishing fourth in the Group One Coolmore Classic and then eighth last start in the Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes won by More Joyous.
Payne said Yosei would be ridden quieter in the Doncaster from the inside barrier than she was when sitting third in transit in the Queen Of The Turf from the same draw.
“Stuart wanted to ride her closer last start from the barrier so we gave it a go and it didn’t suit her,” Payne said.
“She’s better having one crack at them.”
Payne has plenty of respect for favourite More Joyous but said the rain had changed the complexion of the race.
“I suppose before the rain More Joyous was the hardest to beat,” Payne said.
“Hopefully she doesn’t handle it that well. Other than her I think it’s a really even field. I’ll just focus on my horse and try to beat them all.”
