Ben Melham cops suspension for excessive whip use
Ben Melham has been handed a seven-meeting suspension following his ride aboard the $1.35 favourite, Jimmy The Bear, in Saturday’s VOBIS Gold Stayers at Caulfield.
Melham’s aggressive tactics on the heavily backed runner saw him exceed the allowed limit for whip use, an infraction that stewards deemed serious enough to warrant both a suspension and a fine.
The drama unfolded as Melham, determined to bring home the victory for the star horse, used his whip seven times before the 100-metre mark.
This was one more than the allowed limit, and despite Jimmy The Bear’s valiant efforts, the horse could not reel in the leader, with Dictionary ($13) and jockey Daniel Stackhouse swooping in to grab the win after enjoying a more economical run in transit.
Stewards immediately investigated the incident, and Melham, after pleading guilty to the charge, was handed a seven-meeting suspension alongside a $400 fine.
However, the day wasn’t without its silver lining for Melham. Less than an hour later, he celebrated a win with a gritty ride aboard Bridal Waltz in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes.
Despite the earlier setback, Melham proved his mettle when guiding the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly to a hard-fought victory at $4.20 with horse racing bookmakers.
The performance secured Melham’s 14th Stakes win for the 2024/25 season, a solid testament to his talent and resilience.
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