Group 1 jockey Ben Melham declares Cascadian ‘the forgotten horse’ in All-Star Mile
Last year’s All-Star Mile runner-up Cascadian has what it takes to upset the favourites in Saturday’s race, according to his jockey.
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Group 1 jockey Ben Melham is spoiling for an All-Star Mile upset with “the forgotten horse” Cascadian on Saturday at Caulfield.
Melham was runner-up in the race last year aboard Cascadian and then they combined to win the Australian Cup.
Baldy-faced chestnut and Doncaster winner Cascadian, an $8.4m prizemoney earner, is rated a $13 chance with TAB to upstage Mr Brightside ($1.80) and Pride Of Jenni ($3.80).
• All-Star Mile runner-by-runner guide
“He might be the forgotten horse a little bit but he’s very well credentialed and he proved that last year when he ran Mr Brightside to a short margin,” Melham said.
“He drew outside and had to concede a lot of ground early and Mr Brightside had the better run. He’s a nine-year-old now but he’s certainly not showing those signs.”
Cascadian has the better barrier this year, seven to Mr Brightside’s 11, and goes to Caulfield off an eye-catching fourth in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) last start in Sydney.
Leaders Pride Of Jenni, Buffalo River, Sydney wildcard Attractable and New Zealand raider Desert Lightning should set up a high pressure All-Star Mile.
“That will suit him because he likes to find his feet and I’m sure he’ll acquit himself very well,” Melham said.
“Pride Of Jenni is obviously a good mare. She’ll be hard fit and make it a good gallop, she’ll play that to her advantage, and my bloke will be just waiting ready to pounce.
“If they (leaders) have no luck or overdo it, you know what you’re going to get with him, he’ll turn up every time.”
• Early Oil: All-Star Mile day race-by-race analysis
Melham’s desire to win on Cascadian would help square the ledger on the home front as fiancee, star jockey Jamie Kah, has dominated Melbourne racing the past month.
Kah has won three Group 1s in as many Saturdays, claiming the Blue Diamond Stakes, Australian Guineas and Newmarket Handicap, to boost the wedding fund.
Kah rides Ayrton ($10) in the All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
“Starting to look that way, it’s been amazing to see her back doing well,” Melham said.
“She’s a class rider and it’s obviously shown the last few weekends so, hopefully, it can continue but I’m dragging the chain a little bit.
“It’s great to see (her success) because people are quick to throw mud at you in this game and she had a bloody tough run and terrible fall.
“It would be nice to come away with an All-Star Mile. I intend to win but it doesn’t always go to plan.”
Originally published as Group 1 jockey Ben Melham declares Cascadian ‘the forgotten horse’ in All-Star Mile
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