Delay to Michelle Payne’s training career

Michelle Payne will have to wait a little longer to have her first runner with Victoria’s wet weather claiming Tuesday’s Stawell meeting.

The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, who now holds a dual licence, had already scratched Queen Of Zealand because of the conditions before Tuesday’s meeting was called off.

Payne’s options for the former New Zealand filly’s first Australian start include running at Bendigo on Thursday or Cranbourne on Sunday.

She is preparing Queen Of Zealand hoping to get her to the VRC Oaks at Flemington next month.

“She’s got the right constitution and attitude you look for in a filly for the Oaks,” Payne told RSN927.

“She’s naturally athletic so I’m really excited to get her there but being a filly she’s pretty fragile so you’ve got to take your time and give them every opportunity to get there.”

Payne is one of three Victorian jockeys to be granted dual licences from August with Jade Da Rose finishing second on the horse she trains, Parwan Prince, at Mornington on September 22.

Unfortunately for Payne and other trainers with dual licences they are barred from riding their own horses in races in NSW where they are classed as trainers only..

Payne, who has ridden two winners from nine rides since her return from pancreatic surgery in May, is hoping to pick up a light ride in the Caulfield Cup.

“I’ve been asking Ciaron Maher about Set Square,” Payne said.

“I think she’s got a really good chance with a light weight.

“Since my injury I’ve been really light, so hopefully something might spring my way.”

Set Square will carry 51.5kg in the Caulfield Cup.