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Melbourne Cup (Horse race)

Female Jockeys Eye Melbourne Cup Glory in 160th Running

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Michelle Payne, the first and only female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015, is rooting for one of the talented trio of female jockeys booked to ride in the 160th Melbourne Cup to join her as a Melbourne Cup winning jockey. Payne remains hopeful that the ranks of Melbourne Cup winning female jockeys will double, with Jamie Melham, Rachel King, and Celine Gaudray all in contention. Gaudray, a 24-year-old rising star, is set to make her Cup debut on Geelong Cup winner Torranzino, while Melham will ride favourite Half Yours and King will ride Arapaho.

Key Takeaways:

  • Michelle Payne is hopeful that the ranks of Melbourne Cup winning female jockeys will double, with Jamie Melham, Rachel King, and Celine Gaudray all in contention.
  • Celine Gaudray, a 24-year-old rising star, will make her Cup debut on Geelong Cup winner Torranzino, having earned her first ride in the race.
  • Jamie Melham, who finished third last year in the Cup aboard Okita Soushi, will ride favourite Half Yours on the 160th running of the Melbourne Cup.
  • Rachel King, having ridden in the Melbourne Cup four times previously, will ride Arapaho in this year's Cup.
  • Payne described Gaudray as a "rising star" and praised her experience in show jumping, horsemanship, and balance, which she believes will serve her well in her Cup debut.
  • Calvin McEvoy, the trainer of Melham's mount Half Yours, is confident that the horse can run the two miles in its 15th run, having already won the Naturalism Stakes and Caulfield Cup.

Statistics:

  • The 160th Melbourne Cup will attract a field of talented horses and jockeys, with female representation led by Michelle Payne, the first and only female jockey to win the Cup in 2015.
  • Celine Gaudray will be the youngest female jockey to ride in the Cup in her 24-year-old debut.
  • Half Yours, ridden by Jamie Melham, has won two significant stakes races, including the Caulfield Cup.
  • The Melbourne Cup has a long history, with its first running taking place in 1861, and has been won by many prominent stables and trainers, including Tony McEvoy, who has won most feature races in Australia.

Sources:

  • [Article by unknown author, as cited in provided text]
  • [News.com.au, Sport section]

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