Ben Melham is upbeat that he can win the Golden Slipper aboard the Danny O’Brien-trained colt Running Tall at his first ride in the race.
Melham has ridden the colt, by 2005 Slipper winner Stratum, in each of his three starts this preparation which include a last-start two-length win in the Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 12.
“I’m happy with the barrier (eight) and I’m extremely happy with the horse,” Melham, who won his only Group One race on the world’s highest-rated racehorse Black Caviar in the Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington last spring, said.
“His work the Sydney way on Tuesday at Flemington was sensational and he’s going into the race in fantastic order.
“His action is the best it’s been all preparation and he looks a million dollars.
“Danny has got him in great order. He’s definitely gone on since he won the Sires. The 1400-metre run has really tightened him up.
“We had to change plans when the favourite (Helmet) came out at the barrier in the Sires and he raced a little bit keenly.
“But it is a positive coming back to the six furlongs (1200m) as the better tempo will suit him.
“I’m glad he had that seven furlong (1400m) run just to tighten him up as he’s such a big, gross horse and he’s definitely a lot sharper now.”
Running Tall, $35 with TAB Sportsbet, would be the sixth two-year-old to complete the VRC Sires-Golden Slipper double, the last to do it being Canny Lad in 1990.
Full On Aces (1981), Vain (1969), Storm Queen (1966) and Pago Pago (1963) were the others to achieve the feat.
AAP TURF
