ANDREW PALOCZI
LOCAL jockey Jye McNeil hopes his decision to stick with Irish stayer Twilight Payment pays off in today’s Melbourne Cup.
McNeil produced the perfect ride to steer Steel Prince home in the Geelong Cup, qualifying the Sam Freedman-trained veteran for a shot at today’s Melbourne Cup, but the 25-year-old remained committed to Twilight Payment, who is trained by Irishman Joseph O’Brien and owned by Lloyd Williams.
Twilight Payment is a $26 chance with the TAB, while Steel Prince drifted in betting to $34 after drawing a wide barrier.
Twilight Payment has been placed at all of this four runs in Ireland this campaign, after leading and running eleventh in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
At his last start he was caught three-wide in the Group 1 Irish St Leger over 2816 metres and still finished the race off beaten 2.4 lengths by Search For A Song.
McNeil, formerly of Myall, has been in hot form recently, winning the Bendigo Cup aboard Princess Jenni.
David Brideoake-trained Princess Jenni was rated a $19 chance by the TAB and carried 56.5kg, but McNeil landed the New Zealand mare in a beautiful position.
“She settled well and travelled lovely throughout the race and approaching the home turn we worked to the lead a touch early, but she ran out the 2400m strongly,” he said.
McNeil has four rides in today’s 10-race card.
