Horse racing-Women jockeys look to emulate Payne's Melbourne Cup success

MELBOURNE : Nine years after trailblazer Michelle Payne became the first woman to ride a Melbourne Cup winner, a record contingent of four female jockeys will attempt to become the second to claim Australia's most prestigious horse race on Tuesday.

Payne's 2015 win on 100/1 chance Prince of Penzance in the 155th running of the Cup is now part of Australian sporting folklore, her triumph delivered with a memorable "get stuffed" to her critics and doubters.

It was to be the highest point of her career as a jockey by far, but her legacy remains as a growing trickle of women saddle up for "the race that stops the nation".

"Every year, they're getting opportunities, and that's what we fought for," 39-year-old Payne, who retired as a jockey this year, told Australian media.

"So to see one of them make the most of this opportunity and take (the trophy) home would be an unbelievable moment."

Those with the opportunity in the 23-strong field are New Zealander Winona Costin, home jockey Jamie Kah and Britons Rachel King and Hollie Doyle.

Kah, who came third in the 2020 race on Prince of Arran, will ride locally-trained stayer Okita Soushi in the gruelling 3,200m handicap at Flemington Racecourse three days after her roller-coaster "Derby Day".

She won two races at Flemington on Saturday, including the headline 2,500m Victoria Derby after suffering a suspected broken nose when her mount Hurry Curry reared up at the barriers in a previous race.

She was also slapped with a 10-meeting ban for careless riding earlier in the meeting but it does not include the A$8 million ($5.28 million) Melbourne Cup.

King will ride the Oopy MacGillivray-trained The Map, while Doyle is entered on Harry Eustace-trained Sea King.

Like Payne, Costin will race a