Michelle Payne can finally enjoy the weekend before Melbourne Cup

For the retired jockey, Melbourne Cup Carnival is now about preparing commentary, catching up with friends and enjoying the city’s best bars and restaurants.

Retired jockey Michelle Payne at the finishing post at Flemington where she crossed to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015. Eamon Gallagher

Hannah TattersallJournalist

Oct 25, 2024 – 5.00am

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Michelle Payne was the first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015 at odds of $100-1. Having recently relinquished her jockey licence, she will attend this year’s carnival as an ambassador.

Friday afternoon I travel down from my farm in Ballarat with all my outfits for the week. I’m staying at Crown Towers. This year, I’m attending as a Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador and will be working with the Nine Network and international broadcasters overseas, bringing some information from the track to people at home.