A Magic Millions to go with a Melbourne Cup.
That’s what popular jockey Michelle Payne achieved when she teamed up with her brother Patrick to win the Magic Millions Sprint with Husson Eagle at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Husson Eagle
Winning owner Joe O’Neill revealed Payne rode to a plan when she brought Husson Eagle ($9) with a well-timed finish to beat Wild Rain ($4.20) by a length with Le Cordon Bleu ($9) two lengths away third.
“Michelle said to me before the race ‘they’ll go mad up front, I’ll sit fourth or fifth in the run and we’ll blow them away’,” O’Neill said.
“I said ‘well okay love, if that’s what you reckon’s best then you go for your life’.”
Payne said winning aboard Husson Eagle for her brother had added meaning.
“It’s always an extra buzz when you win one for one of your family,” she said.
“The past three months have been unreal and this has topped it off.
“It’s been great to be here for my first Magic Millions and I hope I’m back again next year.”
Payne was confident of success once she was legged aboard Husson Eagle.
“He’s a cheeky little fella and even though he has a short sprint he can hit the line hard,” she said.
Patrick Payne is undecided about future plans for Husson Eagle.
“We didn’t have any grand plans looking beyond this race because he’s an 80 rater but we’ll enjoy the moment and see where we head with him next,” he said.
