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Hunter: Why Paddy Payne is arguably the "best trainer" in Victoria
Connor Scanlon • December 7th, 2025 11:01 am
Paddy Payne, the brother of Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne, has been hailed by expert tipster Mark Hunter as arguably Victoria’s best trainer.Payne was originally a champion jockey, even winning the Group 1 Cox Plate in 2002 on board Northerly, then in 2008 he transitioned to training.
The former hoop now has hundreds of career training wins and recently formed a partnership with his sister Michelle in September of last year.
While many pundits have other trainers on top in the state, such as Ciaron Maher or Ben, Will & JD Hayes, Hunter has explained that Paddy Payne is debatably the greatest trainer, given his conditions.“You can make a case he's the best trainer in Victoria,” Hunter told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.“Because he doesn't get the million-dollar yearlings.
“Sprinters, stayers, jumpers, middle distance, doesn't matter.
“They hold their form, so when you're assessing the form, you know they'll run just about to their top every time.”
That claim had Giddy Up’s host Gareth Hall surprised.“That's a big call,” Hall responded.
“Like the best trainer in Victoria P. Payne and Michelle, of course.”
Hunter responded by doubling down on his call and further broke down why Paddy Payne is arguably Victoria’s best trainer.
“Yeah, you could argue,” Hunter replied.
“Obviously you've got stables who win more races, but they're presented with million-dollar yearlings, which increases their chances of success.
“(Paddy) squeezes the stone, gets blood out of a stone for just about every horse that he trains.
“Those David Price (owned) horses have one start for one win, then off they go to Hong Kong.“If he put together all his good horses, he would have a great stable.”
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