Payne couldn't remember Melbourne Cup after fall

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne briefly forgot her historic victory in the aftermath of a horror fall at Mildura.

Payne was flown to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on May 23, where she underwent surgery for a torn pancreas after her horse stepped on her as she fell.

She told radio RSN that the trauma also affected her memory, particularly aboard Prince of Penzance.

“"I couldn't remember winning the Melbourne Cup initially and had to Google it.

"It's nice to win the Melbourne Cup for a second time,” she said.

She also remembered the fall, but not reaching the ground.

Payne narrowly avoided becoming a diabetic from the fall.

"The doctors explained that I must have been stood on in the abdomen area and all the other organs can get out of the way but the pancreas is sort of stuck at the back," Payne told the radio station.

"They are very confident I'll make a full recovery.

"It would have been a real pain in the arse to become a diabetic.

"I have to rest for the next four weeks because of the risk of hernia.

"I can do a bit of (stationary) bike riding and a lot of walking and build up a bit of core strength.

When asked whether she would ride again, she said her first thoughts were that she would definitely get back on a horse. However, she experienced moments of doubt.

"I'm pretty strong willed and tend to do what I want to do," she said.

"I have to live my life the way I want and want to take my time to make my decision.

"Initially I probably did feel I would I make a comeback, but it takes a lot of dedication and energy to do that.

"I have to make sure I've got the energy to put in 100 percent."

Payne will be licensed to train and ride from August 1.