Qld set to consider Michelle Payne licence

Michelle Payne is not yet guaranteed a licence to ride in Queensland with stewards to decide next week whether she can partner Husson Eagle at the Magic Millions carnival in January.

Payne holds a dual jockey-trainer licence in Victoria but that does not transfer to Queensland, or NSW.

Racing NSW’s policy is that a dual licence holder can only be classed as a trainer although Victorian jockeys’ representatives have asked for it to be revisited.

RQ chief Steward Allan Reardon said Payne had contacted his office on Friday to clear up the situation.

“She said she would put in an application on Monday and we will consider it from there,” Reardon said.

“At this stage I can’t say one way or the other if she will be allowed to ride. But we should be able to make a decision some time next week.”

Payne is hoping Racing NSW changes its policy to allow her to ride Husson Eagle, trained by her brother Patrck, in next Saturday’s Listed Starlight Stakes in Sydney on his way to the Gold Coast where he won the Magic Millions Sprint earlier this year.