Jamie Kah rode 15 Group 1 winners but her first as Jamie Melham having recently married fellow jockey Ben Melham means a whole lot more.
Melham partnered the Ciaron Maher-trained Another Wil to victory in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday saying there is a God in racing.
Another Wil was bred by Colin and Janice McKenna and races in their Blue and Lime Hoops, however Colin has not been around to witness the rise of the galloper and his first Group 1 win after dying last year with a brain tumour.
Melham has relied on the strength of Janice McKenna in trying times and admitted to talking gibberish towards the end of an emotional interview following Saturday’s win.
“I’ve thought about this day, I dreamed about it the last few days, and it’s amazing that things like this happen in racing,” Melham said.
“There’s a God in racing…this horse has deserved it for so many starts, but to do it for Col after his birthday was on Tuesday is just amazing.
“I know he’s watching down on us and Another Wil lifted for his dad.
“That was amazing.”
Sent out the $3.30 second favourite, Another Wil wore down the $2.60 favourite Mr Brightside to score by a short-neck with Steparty ($14) a further 4-¾ lengths away third.
Trainer Ciaron Maher said Colin McKenna had always loved Another Wil, and to win the first Group 1 race of the New Year was special.
He said he resisted the temptation to take Another Wil to the highest level too soon, waiting for the gelding to mature.
“Colin always loved this horse in particular,” Maher said.
“I resisted the temptation to take him to that top level because he needed time to mature, and Col was always very patient and it’s not fitting that he can’t be here.
“He just would have been so thrilled, but I’m pretty proud.
“He was just such a great mentor and friend and supporter. It’s just beautiful.”
A five-year-old with only 14 starts under his belt, for nine wins, Maher hopes Another Wil can have the same longevity that Mr Brightside, who is two years older, has.
Maher said it was a thrilling race saying Mr Brightside was a ‘tough old bugger’ to get past.
“I’m thrilled and hopefully over the next 12 months, couple of years, he (Another Wil) can really go on with it,” Maher said.
The Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) on February 22 and the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 8 loom as next possible targets for Another Wil.
“He’ll just go through the weight-for-age path,” Maher said.
“We’ll see what sort of weight he gets up in Sydney as to the big mile races up there, but we’ll celebrate this one and he’s got plenty of options now.
“The All-Star Mile seems like a natural progression for him, and he’s got good form at Flemington as well, so the All-Star seems fitting.”
