Helen Page opens up about being the first woman to run a place in the Melbourne Cup

HELEN Page was walking 1991 Melbourne Cup runner Magnolia Hall back from trackwork at Flemington at 5am when she came across a dozen men dressed as the Flintstones.

HELEN Page was walking 1991 Melbourne Cup runner Magnolia Hall back from trackwork at Flemington at 5am when she came across a dozen men dressed as the Flintstones.

“It was the first thing that struck me as to why this day is so different,” the Gold Coast trainer said of the day that produced her biggest thrill in racing.

Page, based in Sydney at the time, went on to celebrate a third placing with Magnolia Hall in the Cup that year.

It was one of most brutal Cups in history, with many horses meeting interference throughout the race.

QLD PRIZEMONEY RELIEF TO PROVIDE INSTANT BOOST

TEGAN WINS DURING QLD STRIKE

Jockeys Steven King, who rode the winner Let’s Elope, and Shane Dye, on runner-up Shiva’s Revenge, were slapped with suspensions spanning more than a month.

“If it had been overseas they would have been relegated to the tail of the field,” Page said.

Such a result would have crowned Magnolia Hall the winner but rules are different in Australia.

Pictured at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Leading Race horse trainer Helen Page with her Hall of Fame Trophie her and Her husband John were awarded with. Picture: Mike Batterham

Still, Page became the first woman to train a placed horse in the race that stops the nation.

“It was very special,” Page said. “It’s part of history and something you want to be part of ever since you are a kid.

“It’s a great thrill to be part of the day. To walk around the track and take it all in is amazing.

“My husband (former trainer John Page) has had Melbourne Cup runners and told me everything that could be done had been done and to just enjoy the day and soak it all in.

Racehorse Magnolia Hall and trainer Helen Page at her Warwick Farm stables 03 Nov 1991.

“Looking at the lawn (area at Flemington) is completetly different when the racecourse is empty to when it’s full of people along with the roses, lovely grandstands and murals on the ceilings.

“It’s a fantastic thing to take in. Then when the crowd comes it’s amazing and so different again.

1991 Melbourne Cup. Let's Elope makes it look easy as she wins the 1991 Melbourne Cup. (Jockey Steven King). Straight. Neg: 911106/572. Picture: ELLEN SMITH.

“Once the horses arrive it’s full-on and the day goes so quickly after that.”

Page did trackwork at 4am that day and by the time she finished an hour later there were people already lining up to get into the races.

Magnolia Hall arrived at Page’s stable as a tried runner without a win but it wasn’t long before he showed his potential.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN AND GET A FITBIT

“We could see he had promise and once he cracked his maiden over a bit of ground he won four straight,” Page said.

“He was a talented horse and bred in New Zealand. I was lucky because he came to me educated and ready to race.

“I brought him to the Gold Coast and he ran third in a Prime Minister’s Cup when it was a very good stayers race with good prizemoney.

“The thrill of a lifetime came when he ran third in the Melbourne Cup. It was a great experience.

“He always showed he was knocking on the door.”