MELBOURNE Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne returns to where it all started for her when she rides in Ballarat on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Payne has toured Australia and New Zealand since becoming the toast of Australasian racing aboard Prince of Penzance on the first Tuesday in November.
This is Ballarat Turf Club’s first race meeting since the Ballarat Cup on November 21.
Payne rode on that day, when her celebrity status included a role as Cup ambassador.
She will have a much lower profile – if that is possible these days – this time with with two rides.
She has been engaged for the Robert Hickmott-trained Agility in the C.E. Bartlett 3yo Maiden, 1400m, and Lee and Shannon Hope-trained Monahro in the Hygain Benchmark64 Handicap, 1400m. Agility is on debut and half-brother to group 2 winner Pied A Tierre.
Payne has cut back her riding commitments in Victoria owing to various guest appearances, with the latest win being on Pattern for Hickmott at Flemington on January 16.
As well as the track getting the break, the Sportsbet-Ballarat circuit has also been out of action while new raceday horse stalls have been constructed. They will be in use for the first time for this eight-race program with the first event at 1.22pm
BALLARAT apprentice jockey Lucinda Doodt rode her first Victorian winner at Great Western on Sunday.
Doodt landed the money on Tramcar Johnny ($3.50) for Ballarat trainer Dan O'Sullivan in a 0-58 handicap, 1850m.
Doodt has regularly getting winners on King Island, where she has become a rider in demand. Her successes on that circuit have included the King Island Cup and a double on Saturday.
HARNESS Racing Victoria is looking at improving training facilities at Ballan.
HRV planning and development manager Rob Pongho has had an on-site meeting with Ballan Harness Racing Club president Adrian Darcy to discuss possible improvements to its training track.
Pongho said day yards would allow trainers to leave a horse on-site at the training track rather than having to transport to and from the circuit. “It would make life easier for the participants,” he said.
“We need to ensure grassroots participants are looked after as they play a vital role in ensuring the horse population and field sizes remain strong.”
There are about 20 horses trained at the facility, which features an 800m harness racing track and former grass gallops track.
