Ben Melham nabs ride on 2024 Sandown Guineas hotpot Pisces
With seven city winners in November, Ben Melham is a jockey in form … and he can continue his run next week when he partners Godolphin’s Pisces in the Sandown Guineas.
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Jockey Ben Melham has secured the ride on smart Blue Sapphire Stakes winner Pisces in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Godolphin three-year-old Pisces, trained by James Cummings, swept to an emphatic Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes victory last start under champion jockey James McDonald.
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“He was pretty impressive the other day,” Melham said.
“I’d imagine he just has to hold his form to be hard to beat.
“He wouldn’t be knocked around by the run … he’s still on an upward trajectory.”
Pisces comes charging home around the bend to take out the Blue Sapphire Stakes 💎@godolphin@mcacajamezpic.twitter.com/WPDtJtZpU9
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 16, 2024
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In-form Melham has ridden seven city winners in November, including at least one each of the past three Saturdays.
He won four during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington – more than any other jockey but champion McDonald, who banked a record 11.
“Found some good momentum and doing a lot for Clinton McDonald,” Melham said.
“He’s got some nice horses, which always helps, he had a smaller stable but it’s growing all the time and his strike rate is pretty good at the minute.
“He’s got a lot of young horses coming through and it helps if you’ve got a base producing winners.
“Vestas (close runner-up in Red Roses Stakes) was a tough one to swallow, anyway got four winners (in Cup Week) and kept the name up in lights for bit longer.”
McDonald and Melham combined for the first winner last Saturday at Cranbourne – Refusetobeenglish.
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“He’s a nice horse, he’s pretty impressive,” Melham said.
“We’ve always liked him and he’s kept improving all the time.”
Melham is set to ride Tamerlane, also for Godolphin, in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m).
“Godolphin has been supporting me lately and I’ve had pretty good success with them (before and) recently as well,” Melham said.
“Always grateful for the support from a good stable like that and hopefully it continues.”
Melham, like a lot of top flight jockeys, has a few weeks off after Zipping Classic Day at Caulfield to recharge for next year.
Melham won back-to-back Zipping Classics in 2017-18 on The Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal wasn't letting his Zipping Classic title go... It was a big battle against Dal Harraild to keep it! pic.twitter.com/wiL17WyIj6
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 14, 2019
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Melham has yet to confirm a ride in the Zipping Classic on Saturday.
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has nine horses nominated for the Zipping Classic including Smokin’ Romans, Le Don De Vie and Herman Hesse.
Melham rode Smokin’ Romans to a drought-breaking victory at Flemington last start in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
Originally published as Ben Melham nabs ride on 2024 Sandown Guineas hotpot Pisces
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