A day after providing Cindy Alderson with riding instructions at Flemington, Michael Walker has given some much needed advice to Ben Melham prior to a winning ride at Sandown.
Melham was aboard Grand Impact in the Ladbrokes Live Betting Handicap (1200m) on Sunday, a ride Walker would have had if not being laid-up in hospital.
Walker was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital following a fall at the Pakenham jump-outs on Tuesday and was in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Until until Friday.
Trainer Cindy Alderson said Walker rang her at 5am on Saturday prior to Veranskova scoring at Flemington while Melham was proactive, contacting Walker who had ridden Grand Impact to a debut win at Geelong on July 15.
“I rang ‘The Cuz’ this morning,” Melham said.
“It’s unfortunate what happened there, but he told me a bit about the horse, which certainly helped.
“Again, he thought he’d win, and he would have been on him.
“It’s his horse, so hopefully he can get well soon.”
Melham said Grand Impact was a quirky horse, but one with plenty of ability.
“He bounded in the air and wanted to run through the bridle in the first bit, half wanting to chase the car on the inside of the track,” Melham said.
“He did race in spurts which is a really good sign for the way in which he did win, but he’s still not the finished product and there’s plenty of improvement to come.”
Grand Impact is entered in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable, although Kent Jnr said there was a lot of water to go under the bridge before colt heads to that 1600m race in October.
“He’s a colt that is improving,” Kent Jnr said.
“For us, the acid test is on race day and both times he has lived up to what we thought he might do.
“There’s more to come, there’s more in the tank as he’s not a fully mature horse yet.”
