How jockey Ben Melham won the ride on Caulfield Cup favourite Gold Trip

Ben Melham prevailed in a subtle battle with Hong Kong-based star Hugh Bowman to win the ride on Caulfield Cup favourite Gold Trip.

Ben Melham won an international battle to secure the ride on Caulfield Cup favourite Gold Trip. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

A subtle tactical battle was won just before the final field was declared for Saturday’s $5m Caulfield Cup.

Duelling for the ride on Caulfield Cup favourite Gold Trip began once regular rider Mark Zahra committed to Without A Fight in the Group 1 event, possibly with the idea Gold Trip could go straight to Saturday week’s Cox Plate.

Jockeys pushed their cases to ride last year’s Melbourne Cup winner until Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman and local rider Ben Melham emerged as the prime candidates for the prized mount.

• Caulfield Cup tips: Expert panel pick their Top 4

A report from Sydney emerged stating Bowman was on standby to ride Gold Trip in the Caulfield Cup early in the week, which amused Melham once he was confirmed as the stallion’s rider on Wednesday.

“I wasn’t as good as Bowman. I didn’t fake confirm myself,” Melham joked.

“I’ll have to remember that one.”

GOLD TRIP DESTROYS THEM IN THE TURNBULL STAKES! 😱@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/sm2ElCpebE

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 7, 2023

Melham had the advantage of riding a Group 1 winner for Gold Trip’s trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in last Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas.

However, Melham said he was careful not to push his case too hard with Maher while having friends in Gold Trip’s ownership group was cancelled out in the duel.

“I was mindful of going over the top with Ciaron because I wanted to let him know I was keen to ride the horse but you can overdo it at times as well,” Melham said.

“A few mates of mine are in the horse as well. That does help. But a few mates of Bowman’s are also in the horse.

“I’ve got a good association with Ciaron and get along well with him.

“I’ve always been there sort of floating in and out helping him with trackwork.”

Mark Zahra riding Gold Trip in his Turnbull Stakes win. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

While Gold Trip’s Melbourne Cup win earned him the 58.5kg topweight, the French-bred galloper turned in his best Australian performance with his outstanding last-start win in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Gold Trip came from a long way back but scored easily on good ground, which has been an issue in previous years as farriers and vets worked to get his feet in perfect order.

• The Armchair Punter predicts Caulfield Cup finishing order

“More importantly his soundness is really good and his feet are good,” Melham said.

“Just watching him, he couldn’t have been any more impressive in his runs this time in.

“He’s going better than ever and his form suggests that.”

Maher has been open with the fact the stable was prepared to scratch Gold Trip if the Caulfield track became too firm by the time the Caulfield Cup is run.

Melham joked the trainer could receive some advice on the best course of action from both himself and Zahra, who would be available to ride Gold Trip in the Cox Plate at The Valley.

“Ciaron would only be running him if he thought it was the right thing to do,” Melham said.

“Now he’s going to have Zahra harping not to run and me pushing to run.”

Originally published as How jockey Ben Melham won the ride on Caulfield Cup favourite Gold Trip