Michelle Payne fined $300 over track tweet

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has been hit with a $300 fine for misconduct over a social media post relating to the presentation of the Flemington racetrack for the Makybe Diva Stakes meeting.

Payne, who is now a trainer as well as a jockey, had Sweet Rockette running on Saturday at Flemington where the track was rated in the good range after expected rain did not arrive.

Before the first race on Saturday Payne posted on Twitter: “Likely to scratch Sweet Rockette if the track looks too firm. And cop another fine for looking after my horse and owners. Absolute bullsh..!””

After walking the track before Sweet Rockette’s race, Payne decided to start the filly in the Cap D’Antibes Stakes and she rode the filly into fourth placing in the Listed race.

Stewards took a dim view of the language Payne used in the tweet

Payne pleaded guilty.

“I’d like to apolgise for that. It was out of frustration,” Payne told stewards.

Robert Cram, who was the steward in charge at the meeting, told Payne she had prior form for similar criticisms.

“You need to think before you jot down,” Cram said.