There won’t be another Group One for Ben Melham this weekend.
But the jockey who has won a Group One in Adelaide on each of the past three weekends is looking to continue his winning run when he returns to Melbourne Saturday racing at Flemington for the first time in almost two months.
There are no Group races on the Flemington card but Melham will be reunited with South Australian Derby winner Escado in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (3200m) and rides comeback sprinter Shellscrape in the Listed Straight Six (1200m).
Melham’s interstate success started with a Group Two WA Derby win in Perth four weeks ago.
He then claimed the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes on Platelet three weeks ago and they combined again last Saturday to win the Goodwood.
In between, he won the SA Derby on Escado.
“It’s still a bit surreal to be honest, but obviously I’ve had really good success in a short period of time,” Melham said.
“Platelet has really stepped up this preparation and went from being a handy mare to a really top class mare, and I don’t think that will be the last Group One that she’s competitive in.
“Escado’s Derby win was also a good thrill. (Trainer) Matt Laurie is a good mate of mine. We’re both pretty young and have sort of helped each other out through our careers. I got a really good buzz out of that and so did he.”
Escado is on the third line of betting for the Andrew Ramsden Stakes and is being tested over the Melbourne Cup distance of 3200m.
Melham said Escado wasn’t well weighted with 57kg and would also need some luck from a wide draw.
Shellscrape is on the comeback trail after a stud career was aborted and the Straight Six will be the Group One winner’s second start of his comeback.
Melham combines again with Platelet’s trainer Darren Weir on three-year-old filly Walk With Attitude who will be out to bounce back in the Trevor Clarke Handicap from a disappointing last-start showing, while the Laurie-trained Tigerland appears the jockey’s best chance from his six rides on the day.
Tigerland is favourite to make it six wins from his first seven starts in the Henry Bolte Handicap in what is expected to be the final start of his campaign.
“He probably should be unbeaten and every time we’ve raised the bar he’s stepped up,” Melham, who has won three times on Tigerland, said.
