Paynes bank on Easter Monday rain, praise for nephew Tom Prebble

Timely rain could be an Easter Monday tonic for co-trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne at Sandown.

Peel The Stickers ridden by Tom Prebble wins at Pakenham. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos

Timely rain could be an Easter Monday tonic for co-trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne at Sandown.

The sibling partnership is well represented with five gallopers on the card – all wanting rain-affected ground – including last start winners Flattered and Peel The Stickers.

Flattered secured a well-earned Sale maiden win last month, having previously placed in eight of her first 10 starts including three in Stakes’ company.

“She’s very genuine, she’ll do what she can,” Patrick Payne said.

“She was a very forward and early two-year-old and we used that (placed in Stakes races).

“She needs a bit of juice in the ground for her action.”

The three-year-old daughter of Yes Yes Yes is a $12 chance in the competitive 1400m Benchmark 70 on the Lakeside track, dominated by Supernima ($3.30), Hot Digity Boom ($5) and Fear No Evil ($5.50).

Payne said The Devil In Her, a $41 outsider in a 1600m Benchmark 70, would also benefit second-up from any cut in the ground.

The Devil In Her was not beaten far – less than two lengths – in a similar contest first-up at Ballarat.

The form has stood up with Musgrave and Blushing Tycoon, first and fourth respectively at Ballarat, both placed in town since.

Peel The Stickers, with Payne’s nephew Tom Prebble in the saddle, is an $8 chance in the same race as The Devil In Her.

Prebble piloted Peel The Stickers to victory last start from King Of Enterprise and Primal Spirit, who trained on for subsequent wins at Pakenham and Sandown Lakeside respectively.

Peel The Stickers lays in when it counts & scores at a handy price 💸@mj_paynepic.twitter.com/dLMw8QRu3b

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 27, 2025

“They’re all in there thinking this rain is forecast to come through, it will definitely help The Devil In Her,” he said.

Prebble, 22, has ridden 105 winners including a combined 20 for the Payne siblings.

Payne praised the third-year apprentice’s work ethic and development.

“He’s very good to work with and never shirks the issue work wise,” Payne said.

“Like any kid he can drift in and out a little bit but he’s improving all the time.”

Despite a strong racing pedigree, Prebble, son of Maree Payne and champion jockey Brett Prebble, only started riding regularly about five years’ ago.

“He hasn’t ridden that much throughout his life … so he’s made a huge progression,” Payne said.

“He’s got a really good attitude, very dedicated, and he’s a natural athlete.

“We’d like to take a bit of credit but I think the kid has done it all himself.”

Prebble has five rides on Easter Monday including three for his uncle and aunty.