Michelle Payne has been juggling training duties with her brother Patrick while championing a new cause—recycling unused horse feed to assist drought-hit farmers and livestock.

Now, she’s hoping that goodwill converts into racetrack results at Flemington on Saturday.

The Paynes’ standout contender is Buccleuch, a dominant last-start winner who will carry the same red and white silks made famous by Cherry Tortoni in the 2020 Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m).

“He’s a lovely horse that helps himself… he went to sleep and when Billy asked him to take a gap and quicken, he was ready to do it,” Payne told RadioTAB.

By Stan Fox Stakes winner Peltzer, Buccleuch is $1.85 favourite and tipped to handle the 59kg over the mile.

Stable star Jimmy The Bear returns in the Winter Championship Final (1600m) after a strong win in June, rated $6 second pick.

The Paynes also saddle up Silver Pledge and Frontline Action in the Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m), with Michelle rating Silver Pledge as progressive and Frontline Action as “the forgotten horse.”