Jockey Ben Melham out to cap rapid comeback from surgery with Blue Diamond Stakes win on Coleman

The chance for a Group 1 triumph on a brilliant colt for an old mate spurred top jockey Ben Melham to make a rapid return from surgery to be fit for Saturday’s Blue Diamond.

Some things are worth pushing oneself past previous limits.

Jockey Ben Melham rated Blue Diamond favourite Coleman as one such thing when he cut short his spring carnival to have hip surgery last November.

The surgery, to remove a sharp edge at the top of his right femur, was common for jockeys but it also usually requires months out of the saddle.

Melham spent much longer recovering from a similar operation on his left side a few years ago.

• Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes runner-by-runner analysis

Coleman’s talent convinced Melham to cut that recovery and rehabilitation period to a matter of weeks.

“The other one took six months but with this one, I was back on a horse in six weeks,” Melham said.

“Put it this way, if I didn’t have him (Coleman), I probably wouldn’t be back right now.”

Coleman makes it two from two ✅

He is the new favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes 👀 @BMelham and @mattlaurierace pick up doubles at Caulfield 👏 pic.twitter.com/4kwbiv63vx

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 3, 2024

Adding to Melham’s desire to make a quick comeback from the surgery was the fact he had the chance to win another Group 1 race in partnership with his mate, Mornington trainer Matt Laurie.

The pair last combined for a Group 1 win with Escado in the 2013 South Australian Derby.

“I’ve ridden for him since I was 18 so it’s been a long time,” Melham.

“The owners as well, they put a lot into the industry and it would be great to get a result for them too.”

• Winners and losers from the Blue Diamond barrier draw

Melham’s early return compelled him to adopt a selective approach to his race riding in the short-term while he continued to build hip strength.

The now 36-year-old will bypass midweek meetings in the current autumn period to ensure he is ready to tackle the big races every Saturday in either Melbourne or Sydney.

“I’m just managing my time and my rides at the minute, mainly focusing on the Saturdays,” Melham said.

“My hip is still building strength and I’m just managing my training and my diet to make sure I’m at my peak on Saturdays.

“He (Coleman) has given me some incentive to be back and that’s why I’m just managing my time properly and not riding at every meeting and stuff like that.”

Coleman and jockey Ben Melham will take the perfect winning record into Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

While Melham’s hip is gaining strength every day, his shoulder is still awaiting surgery to repair wear and tear sustained with regular riding.

Melham is managing the issue with daily maintenance work until surgery becomes vital.

“It’s fine at the minute but I can manage that and if it needs to be done, it needs to be done,” Melham said.

“It’s not too bad. I’ve just got to stretch and strengthen and work on it every day.”

Despite his body needing constant attention at the moment, Melham said he was still in peak riding form but remained keen to improve to remain in the top echelon of Melbourne jockeys.

“I’m riding as well as ever, I believe, and hopefully we can come away with the Diamond on Saturday,” Melham said.

“I think all athletes that are worth their weight, they improve on themselves all the time, watching replays.

“You’ve got to be your harshest critic and I don’t think you ever stop learning.

“It’s just a matter of being mindful of that and mindful of how you can improve.”

TAB rated Melham as a $4.20 chance to his 21st Group 1 win on the unbeaten Coleman in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Originally published as Jockey Ben Melham out to cap rapid comeback from surgery with Blue Diamond Stakes win on Coleman