Patrick and Michelle Payne land early Flemington wins with Zorro’s Flight and Stormy Grove

Patrick and Michelle Payne dominated the early part of the Flemington meeting with a pair of winners.

Smokin' Princess brings up a double for jockey Tom Prebble and trainer Michelle Payne. Pictures: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Dominant was an apt description of Patrick and Michelle Payne’s start to Saturday’s Flemington meeting.

The siblings had three runners in the day’s opening race, the TAB We’re On (1400m), with their trio of runners providing the quinella while the other finished fifth.

The outsider of the trio Zorro’s Flight ($11) outdid his stablemates in the $150,000 contest, racing near the speed before comfortably holding his rivals to score by 2¼ lengths.

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Stormy Grove ($3.90) completed a Payne-trained quinella while Mr Markle ($19) worked home steadily after a moderate beginning.

Zorro’s Flight successfully handled the rise from a maiden win to Benchmark 70 level in his Flemington success.

Payne said the three-year-old’s racing manners made him hard to beat from up near the speed.

Zorro's Flight wins again, this time under Tom Prebble, who continues to ride winners 🪽@mj_paynepic.twitter.com/fhFPTZfTQA

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 11, 2025

“Zorro’s Flight, he’s just a real beauty this guy,” Payne said.

“He puts himself on the speed, goes to sleep and really helps himself so it’s fantastic for the owners and for Tom (Prebble), who is really riding well.”

Prebble and the Paynes completed an early double when Smokin’ Princess ($3.10 fav) enjoyed the Flemington spaces to win the Jockey Acknowledgement Plate (1600m).

Smokin’ Princess finished second at Pakenham but Payne said the plan to keep Smokin’ Princess at 1600m succeeded.

Smokin' Princess goes one better than last start, appreciating Flemington's long straight 👑@mj_payne & Tom Prebble combine for a double at HQ! pic.twitter.com/uX5Q2F5kzg

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 11, 2025

“She was a bit keen but I think Patrick did that by design today to keep her at a mile,” she said.

“We really wanted to come here to Flemington because she’s a big girl and we thought the big track would really suit her.

“Keeping her at the mile was a little bit of a question mark but keeping her fresh helped.”

Originally published as Patrick and Michelle Payne land early Flemington wins with Zorro’s Flight and Stormy Grove