Michelle Payne overlooked for Randwick ride

Just a month after becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, Michelle Payne can't even get a ride at Randwick this weekend.

The first-ever female Cup-winning jockey will be a guest of honour at Royal Randwick, but wasn't able to pick up a ride despite her management looking for calls of interest.

"Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a ride on the day but it's going to be fantastic to come out and mingle with the public," Payne said.

Payne's management has blamed the size of the fields, not her gender, for the lack of opportunities.

"Knowing the industry, it's no surprise. The fields are small and I guess the trainers wanted to use their regular riders," manager Phillip Roost said.

"There were simply no spots for her. If ­people think this is about her gender, well that's bullshit. If you want to look anywhere, have a look at the size of your fields."

The Australian Turf Club said trainers were given ample notice of Payne's availability.

"Michelle’s visit to Sydney was known to the industry for at least a fortnight, if not longer," a spokesman said.

"At the end of the day it's up to owners and trainers how they organise their rides."

Top Sydney trainer Peter Snowden said there was nothing untoward about Payne not getting a ride.

"It has nothing to do with Michelle’s ability...it's just due to small fields at this time of the year," he said.