Michelle Payne insists she still has the desire to race but will take time to concentrate on recovery

MICHELLE Payne says it will be at least a month before she makes a decision on her racing future after being discharged from hospital following pancreatic surgery.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne was discharged from hospital on Wednesday. Picture: Alex Coppel

• Andrew Rule: Michelle Payne limps out of spotlight a hero

MELBOURNE CUP champion Michelle Payne has said she will not make a decision on her racing future until she has completely recovered from recent pancreatic surgery but insists there is still “fire in the belly”.

Payne, 30, who was injured after falling and being trampled on by her brother Patrick’s horse during a race at Mildura on May 23, spoke briefly as she was discharged from the Alfred Hospital following pancreatic surgery.

Payne said the staff and medical team at Mildura Base Hospital and at The Alfred had taken great care of her and that she felt much better than a fortnight ago.

“I can’t thank everybody enough,” Payne said. “To the doctors and nurse here they’ve done a great job, I’d like also thank everyone for their support.

“A lot of questions have been asked about when I will ride again, there’s still a fire in the belly but I want to concentrate on getting better and then make the right decision.”

Victoria Jockey’s Association chief executive Des O’Keeffe said the doctors have told her to take it very quietly for the next month.

She is looking forward to spending time with her family but there will be no rush in making her decision.

“The pain from the injury and surgery was pretty intense and my doctors have told me to take it very easy for the next month at least,” Payne said in a statement.

“In terms of what the future holds, I’m going to be guided by my doctors and how I feel in myself. I have plenty of time to make a decision, and that won’t be my focus for at least another month or so.”

Payne’s family said it would be her decision.

So happy to be out! Feel no pressure to make a decision on my future, I'm sure I'll know as time progresses. https://t.co/HcRlkjavD0

— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) June 8, 2016

Earlier this week, Payne’s father Paddy, suggested that his daughter would be back to defend her Melbourne Cup title come the Spring Carnival.

“The main thing is to get better but at this stage I still have the fire in the belly for another spring carnival,” she said on Tuesday. “A binder will help protect my organs and the scar for the next month or when I start training again.”

Michelle Payne won’t rush a decision on whether she will return to the saddle.