Ben Melham makes shock Blue Diamond Stakes call

Ben Melham has confirmed he will partner Streisand in the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

Melham rode the Clinton McDonald-trained filly to victory in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield last Saturday, further enhancing her credentials for the February 21 feature.

The jockey had also tasted recent success aboard Big Sky, guiding the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained colt to a convincing win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) the previous week.

Jordan Childs will take over the ride on Big Sky in the Blue Diamond Stakes after partnering the colt at Flemington in January when he made a winning debut.

The son of Bivouac will head into the race unbeaten and is the $4 favourite in pre-post markets, while Streisand is rated an $8 chance.