Trainer Patrick Payne’s Hobart Cup bid assisted by sister, Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle and brother Stevie
A visiting training is eyeing off a second Hobart Cup race win, and he’s got a strong trusted team behind him – including Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne.
Tasmania
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Victorian trainer Patrick Payne will be chasing his second Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) when he saddles up Alhambra Lad in Sunday’s race at Elwick.
The six-year-old gelding announced himself as a strong contender for the $300,000 race after winning Elwick in the Summer Cup on January 21
And Payne has called upon the help of his sister and Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne, along with brother Stevie, to care for three of his horses for the 150th Hobart Cup Carnival, which began with the Tasmanian Derby meeting at Elwick on Friday.
“Michelle and Stevie have been looking after them (stable runners),” Payne said.
“They are loving it. They love Hobart and Tasmania, so it has been really good.”
Alhambra Lad will start from barrier nine in the Cup and will be ridden by 2020 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil.
Alhambra Lad carries 56.5kg for the Hobart Cup, with the trainer believing the horse appreciates trips away from home.
“He is a big, heavy, set horse, and I reckon when he travels, he races a bit better,” Payne said.
The trainer made a fly-in fly-out trip to the state on Tuesday, overseeing the gelding’s last piece of main work.
“I was down there and rode him at Elwick on Tuesday morning, and he felt fantastic,” he said.
When asked about who he rated as the main dangers, the trainer said, “they all have to be respected, but I’m very happy with my horse.”
Tasmanian Racing Club chair Andrew Scanlon has been involved in thoroughbred racing for the past 30 years, with both his late grandfathers hobby harness trainers.
He is the managing owner of nine thoroughbreds with three racing on Cup day.
Mr Scanlon is proud to be overseeing the 150th Hobart Cup.
“This is a fantastic milestone,” he said.
“The Hobart Cup has been a strong race in recent years. It has been won by an array of good local and mainland horses.
“I’m looking forward to a great day’s racing this Sunday.”
Payne will be looking to kick off Hobart Cup day on a winning note in the Listed Strutt Stakes with Wings Of Song, who has been in the state for some time, winning the Tasmanian Guineas and 1000 Guineas at her last two starts.
The favourite for the Strutt Stakes is Very Sewreel for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott training partnership.
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