Ben Melham to replace Declan Bates on Pride Of Jenni in Champions Mile at Flemington

Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre explains why jockey Declan Bates has lost the ride on the star mare for Saturday’s Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington.

Declan Bates has been replaced as the rider of star mare Pride Of Jenni for Saturday’s Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington.

Ben Melham will ride Pride Of Jenni in the $3m event.

Bates had been aboard Pride Of Jenni for 15 starts for three Group 1 wins, including her epic Queen Elizabeth Stakes win and her All-Star Mile triumph.

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Pride Of Jenni was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Randwick before the grand frontrunner finished 16 lengths from the winner Via Sistina in the Cox Plate.

“The decision has been made that maybe we need a jockey change,” Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre said.

Ottobre noted Pride Of Jenni’s part in Via Sistina breaking the Moonee Valley 2040m course record was a reason she tired in the last 400m of the Cox Plate.

“If people had a look at her (first) 1600m in the Cox Plate, they would have realised that she probably broke the course record set by Amelia’s Jewel,” Ottobre said.

The partnership of jockey Declan Bates and Pride Of Jenni is over. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Bates released a social media statement on Wednesday responding to his axing.

“It has been a huge privilege to ride Pride of Jenni, one that has been the greatest experience of my riding career so far,” the statement said.

“She certainly is a once in a lifetime horse. I wish her and Tony all the best for Saturday.

“I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Ottobre family in the future.”

pic.twitter.com/jW3mM7TJ3w

— Declan Bates (@decbates) November 6, 2024

Reports from Cox Plate day suggested Pride Of Jenni would head to the spelling paddock. However, Ottobre said a further discussion on the day after the race led to trainer Ciaron Maher preparing the seven-year-old for a crack at another Group 1 win at Flemington.

“Generally you don’t make a decision on race day,” Ottobre said.

“The following day, clearer heads took over and she’s still going extremely well.

“So there’s no reason to not stay the course.”

Jockey Ben Melham will ride Pride Of Jenni in Saturday’s Champions’ Mile at Flemington.

Ottobre said Cox Plate was a secondary consideration for Pride Of Jenni with the King Charles III Stakes being her prime spring target.

“I always said the main target race was the 1600m race in Sydney,” he said.

“That was our target race and I kept saying that, the King Charles, and everyone turned it into the Cox Plate was a target race.

“The Cox Plate was a back-up where she hoped she would go OK but she didn’t.”

Ottobre said the Champions Mile would be Pride Of Jenni’s final run of the spring, irrespective of how she performed.

“The Champions Mile was always part of her race program and it will be her last of the prep.

“I think it’s only her sixth run and that’s perfect for her.

“Generally she only has five runs but this time she will go six.”

Originally published as Ben Melham to replace Declan Bates on Pride Of Jenni in Champions Mile at Flemington