Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne’s dramatic arrival added to the colour and excitement of Wednesday’s Kyneton Cup.
A crowd of almost 5000 people cheered as Payne alighted from a helicopter that flew her in from metropolitan media commitments in the wake of her surprise win last Tuesday.
PICTURE GALLERY: 2015 KYNETON CUP
‘‘It was like she was Princess Di,’’ Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club chief executive Jon Dight said of the welcome for Payne.
Cheers turned into a roar during the 2000m main event, with the Payne-ridden Akzar getting the run of the rail at the final turn.
MICHELLE PAYNE RECEIVED A ROUSING RECEPTION.
But New Zealand-trained Tristam’s Sun finished strongly to claim a second-straight Kyneton Cup.
The Robbie Laing-trained horse finished well ahead of Tilla Bell Rings and Our Voodoo Prince.
Dight said the rare back-to-back win capped a memorable race day.
FASHIONS IN THE FIELD WINNER EMMA SCODELLARO
“Fashions on the field went really well, the crowd was super behaved and there was such a good vibe all round,’’ he said.
‘‘We can’t fault it, from an event management perspective.”
The club will host a series of Christmas race days before the action shifts to Hanging Rock for an Australia Day meet on January 23.
