What Teresa Palmer loved most about playing Michelle Payne

Teresa Palmer was proud to play Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, in Ride Like A Girl for one very special reason.

Teresa Palmer says as a mother of a baby girl she feels even more proud to have played the powerful role of Michelle Payne in Ride Like a Girl.

Palmer, who has scored strong reviews for her depiction of Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, gave birth to her third child, Poet, in April.

“It’s such an important story to get out there and it’s especially empowering for young women,’’ she said.

“I’m so excited to show this to my daughter one day and I want to raise her to know how strong women are. This is such an incredible achievement. I’m proud of (director) Rachel (Griffiths) because she instantly knew this needed to be shared with the world. It has the potential to positively impact many, many young people especially young women and that is really what we need.”

Michelle Payne and Teresa Palmer on set. Picture: Instagram

Palmer with daughter Poet. Picture: Instagram

Palmer is filming in Cardiff, Wales and couldn’t attend the world premiere of the film in Melbourne at the weekend.

She said she was glad Michelle and the Payne family captured all the spotlight.

“She was the main focus and it’s her story and I loved seeing her front and centre with Rachel and in a way a part of me felt that’s the way it should be anyway,’’ Palmer said.

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“She’s a wonderful character to embody and I felt immense responsibility to capture the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met.

“It feels like a very long time ago but when I watch the film it’s like just yesterday I was working with the beautiful horses and I was falling in love with (Michelle’s brother) Stevie every day and my heart was aching watching the film because he’s just a ray of sunshine and makes everyone happy.”