Patrick Payne has declared Melbourne Cup-winning sister Michelle far more than a one-hit wonder after she piloted Husson Eagle to victory to close out the $10 million Magic Millions day on the Gold Coast.
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Michelle Payne put the four-year-old gelding in a lovely spot in the 1100-metre Magic Millions Sprint as Rocky King and Didntcostalot went hammer and nail up front to set a frantic pace.
That pair had cleared out by four lengths on the home turn, but Husson Eagle was primed for the last crack, motoring home to take out the million-dollar closer ahead of Wild Rain ($4 favourite) and Le Cordon Bleu.
Payne's famous Melbourne Cup victory aboard Prince of Penzance made her the first female jockey to win the great race. That made her a national celebrity, but this was about family, with her brother preparing the galloper since it was a yearling.
"It's a very nice start to the year," Michele said. "Couldn't have been better, to ride a winner for your family.
"Obviously [brother] Stevie was there Melbourne Cup day, but Patrick has had this horse from a yearling. So much can go wrong in horse racing so it's a credit to him.
"Not only that, he's a $42,000 purchase that just won a million dollar race. That's what racing is about. I'm so glad to keep winning on these little cheapies."
Michelle said alarm bells were ringing early in the race as Michael Cahill and Tegan Harrison set their mounts alight to set a frantic pace.
She said Husson Eagle, sent out at $7.20 fourth elect by punters, was struggling to keep in touch before picking up the bit in the straight for a blistering final charge that would be good enough for a track record.
"They did go very quick, which could have brought him undone," Michelle said. "He was on the stretch a fair way out, which can go either way because he needs to relax.
"At the 600 metres I wasn't sure if it was too frantic for him but he's such a gutsy little bigger and gave me his all."
Michelle has become one of the most popular figures in Australian racing and she was stopped for photos and autographs as she stepped up for the presentation.
Patrick thanked owner Joe O'Neill, who entrusts Payne with his sprinters, and also thanked former jockey turned trainer Peter Robl, who looked after the horse in Sydney.
