Melbourne Cup hero Jamie Melham ensured that Half Yours’ stunning Cup triumph wasn’t her only highlight of the carnival, producing a running double early on Champions Day at Flemington.
Melham claimed the Listed Fisher Stakes aboard the Peter Snowden-trained Need Some Luck, before returning one race later to win the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) on Sunset Park for Brad Widdup.
The jockey, still processing the significance of her Melbourne Cup victory earlier in the week, admitted the whirlwind attention and emotion was still surreal.
“It still feels like a big dream,” Melham said.
“It’s very surreal. I’ve had a great few days seeing Mum and Dad and all the family. I’m looking forward to next week, going home and letting it sink in.”
Sunset Park ($17) turned the tables on She’s A Hustler after their clash in the Group 3 Tesio Stakes at Moonee Valley, leading throughout to score by 1-1/4 lengths in the Matriarch.
The imported daughter of Sea The Stars has now won four of her 11 starts, and Widdup said her form pattern and pedigree suggested she would continue to improve.
“She came down for the race at The Valley and was unlucky there, so we kept her here for this,” Widdup said.
“She was very fit and has had a bit of racing, but her pedigree comes into play. She’s really building a strong record.”
Need Some Luck also secured valuable Black Type when taking out the Fisher Stakes. The Rubick gelding – a three-quarter-brother to Chautauqua – had shown glimpses of his talent during the Queensland winter.
“He’s a talented horse and he’s been showing us this ability,” Snowden said.
Need Some Luck ($7) scored by 1-3/4 lengths over straight-track specialist De Bergerac ($7.50), with favourite Big Swinger ($2.90) in third.
