Jamie Melham welcomes high pressure Australian Cup for Zardozi

Jamie Melham explains how Zardozi can turn the tables on Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Australian Cup on Saturday.

Star jockey Jamie Melham has declared an early speed battle in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) as the “best chance” for Zardozi to win on Saturday at Flemington.

Melham, who posted a career-defining 2019 Australian Cup success on Harlem, her first success at the highest level, welcomed any pressure Deny Knowledge could put on favourite Pride Of Jenni.

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Three-time Group 1-winner Pride Of Jenni dictated the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) first-up at Caulfield and duly saluted from Zardozi.

“I’m very glad Deny knowledge is in the race, it gives us a much better chance,” Melham, a 16-time Group 1-winner, said.

“Zardozi was fantastic last start but she’s not an on-speed horse and she’s not a horse you can push early, I’m glad there’s a bit more pressure in the race.”

Pride Of Jenni is $2.70 in the Australian Cup from Middle Earth ($4.20) and Zardozi ($7.50). Deny Knowledge is rated $13.

Melham, who has ridden and won on Deny Knowledge before, welcomed an early speed drag race.

• Brad Waters’ race-by-race tips, analysis for Flemington on Saturday

“Pride Of Jenni is an absolute freak but (Deny Knowledge) has very similar tactics and she can sustain a very long run,” Melham said.

“This is definitely the best chance Zardozi has against Pride Of Jenni, with Pride Of Jenni getting pressure, it’s going to be a completely different race shape compared to last start.

“A small field with Pride Of Jenni gave no one any hope, it’s definitely a winnable race (Saturday).”

Zardozi was no match for Pride Of Jenni last start in the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Jay Town/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Zardozi settled third in the Peter Young, eight lengths behind leader Pride Of Jenni at the 1000m, and then trailed the winner about 15 lengths inside the last 600m.

Zardozi finished strongly to get within 2¾ lengths at the finish.

Stewards question Melham about the ride after the Peter Young.

She said Zardozi, under pressure at the 800m, needed a trail into the race to get any closer to Pride Of Jenni approaching the home bend.

Trainer James Cummings confirmed to stewards instructions to ride Zardozi in her normal fashion.

Melham explained the ride further ahead of the Australian Cup.

“My horse was off the bridle at the 1000m, 800m, if I pushed her earlier I feel like I would’ve finished in the back end, she’s just not a horse you can get going at the 1000m,” Melham said.

• Group 1 Australian Cup: Runner-by-runner guide

“You can’t ride that sort of race (with her), a lot of people said ‘could you have got going earlier?’ but I couldn’t, she was off the bridle.

“This is her best chance, Pride Of Jenni has a bit of pressure, and something has to take her (Zardozi) into the race, that’s how she wins her races.

“The other day she drew well and landed a bit closer than I thought she would, she ran fantastic but that’s not the way to ride her I don’t think.”

Cummings, who saddled back-to-back Australian Cup winner Cascadian the past two years, remains “bullish” about Zardozi.

“In preparing Zardozi for the Australian Cup we have been focusing on process over prize,” Cummings said.

“She’s had the right campaign for the Australian Cup, we are quite comfortable where we are right now.”

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Melham go along for KIDS big ride

Star jockey Jamie Melham has urged all racing fans to support Tour d’Horse, a major fundraiser for the KIDS Foundation.

Melham and husband Ben will represent the Victorian Jockeys’ Association in the event which involves six full days in the saddle riding through the Hunter Valley, NSW, from May 11-18.

KIDS Foundation is a leader in childhood injury prevention and recovery from horrific trauma caused by burns, accidents, crime, neglect, abuse and environmental events.

The not-for-profit, KIDS, an acronym for Kids In Dangerous Situation, reaches more than 400,000 children Australia-wide each year through their education and trauma recovery programs.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Tour d’Horse is supported by Australian racing’s biggest names including Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Anthony and Sam Freedman, Coolmore, Godolphin and Yulong.

KIDS has launched a VJA partnership – Jockeys Are Family Fund – for injured jockeys and families.

Melham experienced VJA support first-hand in 2023 in her recovery from life-threatening injuries sustained in a race fall.

“You don’t think about it (importance of crisis support) until you go through it,” Melham said.

“Whatever we go through (six full days of riding) is going to be hard but it’s nothing compared to what the amazing people have gone through to create this (KIDS) charity.”

All horses in the charity ride, strictly limited to walking pace only, are retired racehorses.

“I’m practising the walking bit right now, that’s the bit we’re going to struggle with,” Melham laughed.

“It’s going to be really fun, my favourite thing is riding horses and I get to ride a horse for well over 100km.”

VJA chief executive Matt Hyland welcomed the new KIDS partnership.

“The establishment of Jockeys Are Family Fund … is a significant step in our commitment to providing robust support for injured jockeys and their families,” Hyland said.

KIDS Foundation chief executive Dr Susie O’Neill OAM echoed the sentiment.

“We are delighted to join forces with the VJA for Tour d’Horse,” Dr O’Neill said.

“This collaboration allows us to extend our support to jockeys and their families, helping them recover and improve their quality of life.”

Originally published as Jamie Melham welcomes high pressure Australian Cup for Zardozi