Latest news with #JamieMelham
The Australian
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Zou Sensation set for Group 1 after third straight win at Flemington
Zou Sensation secured a third straight win under a confident Jamie Melham to earn a shot at a Group 1 next month. Zou Sensation will be aimed at the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) next month at Caulfield after a third straight win. The in-form Zoustar gelding, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, raced keenly early and through the middle stages but maintained a strong gallop under 'passenger' Jamie Melham. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Melham rolled forward from barrier 10, hopeful of being able to settle nicely, but Zou Sensation had other ideas. It mattered not at the finish though for the stable, jockey and connections as Zou Sensation held off Running By and Fortunate Kiss. 'I was an absolute passenger then,' Melham said. 'From the wide draw I thought that might happen, I wanted to let him bounce and be where he was but the second we landed he was just in too much of a good mood. 'For him to win like that is very impressive. The team has got this horse absolutely peaking. 'He's run so well, I just wish he would control himself early because he'd be next level this horse, anyway, he's winning so we're happy.' â€' 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) August 2, 2025 • Crossbow aims higher after maiden win at Flemington Despite the run, Melham felt comfortable in the straight when challenged. 'He's such an arrogant horse, he was always going to win and when they got to him and he pinned his ears back,' Melham said. 'He wasn't going to let them pass him. He's just an arrogant horse, he knows he's good.' Larkin said Zou Sensation warranted Sir Rupert Clarke consideration. 'He's definitely a horse starting to put his hand up as someone who could probably go to the Rupert Clarke,' Larkin said. 'We'll look at that and how he gets there we'll work it out.' Larkin said Zou Sensation would appreciate racing in the better grades where the tempo is faster. 'He's definitely a better horse when he's chasing and allowed to get cover,' Larkin said. 'In those better races there's going to be better tempo and he's going to be allowed to do that.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Discreet win worth the wait Faithful punters of Too Darn Discreet, regardless of weight, were rewarded on Saturday as the Dan O'Sullivan-trained mare saluted at Flemington. A handicapping error early in the week, which issued Group 2-winner Too Darn Discreet an enviable 54.5kg for the 1620m Benchmark 84, led to an early market push. However, once sorted out and the correct 57kg allotted, which Too Darn Discreet carried Saturday, the mare eased out to $26 after being as short as $12 during the week. Controversy aside, O'Sullivan was thrilled to get another result with Too Darn Discreet, a multiple stakes' winner last spring. 'We were very pleased with the way she was working at home,' O'Sullivan said. 'Controversial during the week, she had to be re-handicapped, that was an error that hadn't been picked up… I'm glad it happened before the race (avoided disqualification otherwise).' Too Darn Discreet had pleased O'Sullivan at home despite another lucklustre first-up performance. 'She was a bit slow out (at Caulfield) and got a little bump,' O'Sullivan said. 'They just rolled along that fast in the early part of the race, it took her out of her comfort zone. 'She was strong to the line and got to the line good, for some reason you probably (forget) her three first-up performances now… she's just failed.' Too Darn Discreet has now won two of three starts second-up. O'Sullivan has sights on 2000m options in the spring, with decisions to be made on whether to take on the boys again or revert to mares' grade. Horse Racing The dynamic duo of trainer Joe Cleary and Gerry Harvey can add to their extraordinary tally of shared winners in back-to-back races at Moruya Horse Racing Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Moruya on Tuesday.
News.com.au
02-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Zou Sensation set for Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes after third straight win at Flemington
Zou Sensation will be aimed at the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) next month at Caulfield after a third straight win. The in-form Zoustar gelding, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, raced keenly early and through the middle stages but maintained a strong gallop under 'passenger' Jamie Melham. Melham rolled forward from barrier 10, hopeful of being able to settle nicely, but Zou Sensation had other ideas. It mattered not at the finish though for the stable, jockey and connections as Zou Sensation held off Running By and Fortunate Kiss. 'I was an absolute passenger then,' Melham said. 'From the wide draw I thought that might happen, I wanted to let him bounce and be where he was but the second we landed he was just in too much of a good mood. 'For him to win like that is very impressive. The team has got this horse absolutely peaking. 'He's run so well, I just wish he would control himself early because he'd be next level this horse, anyway, he's winning so we're happy.' ZOU SENSATION 🎸🎷 Three in a row for the Corstens/Larkin trained gelding as @jamieleekah07 opens her 2025/26 account! â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) August 2, 2025 Despite the run, Melham felt comfortable in the straight when challenged. 'He's such an arrogant horse, he was always going to win and when they got to him and he pinned his ears back,' Melham said. 'He wasn't going to let them pass him. He's just an arrogant horse, he knows he's good.' Larkin said Zou Sensation warranted Sir Rupert Clarke consideration. 'He's definitely a horse starting to put his hand up as someone who could probably go to the Rupert Clarke,' Larkin said. 'We'll look at that and how he gets there we'll work it out.' Larkin said Zou Sensation would appreciate racing in the better grades where the tempo is faster. 'He's definitely a better horse when he's chasing and allowed to get cover,' Larkin said. 'In those better races there's going to be better tempo and he's going to be allowed to do that.'
The Australian
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Bookmaker reveals the biggest winners and losers in 2024-25
Wagering giant Ladbrokes has released details of the jockeys, trainers and horses who were the biggest winners and losers for punters in the just completed racing season. Melbourne Cup winner Robbie Dolan was the biggest pal of punters, stripping more than $11m from the betting agency's book which was mainly thanks to the Cup win of $91 longshot Knight's Choice. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Punters also filled up by backing Sydney star hoop Tim Clark, who was a $2.3m loser for Ladbrokes over the racing season, while underrated Victorian hoop Jordan Childs was a $1.6m loser for Ladbrokes. By contrast, backing Victorian champion jockey Jamie Melham was a wipe-out for punters with the bookie winning $5.5m from her rides during the season. Punters were unprofitable backing Jamie Melham last season. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images Kerrin McEvoy, Joao Moreira and William Pike were also major winners for the betting agency. Punters have to pay the so-called 'J-Mac tax' to back the mounts of superstar Sydney hoop James McDonald who was a $560,000 winner for Ladbrokes during the racing season. Chris Waller might dominate Australian racing but the legendary Sydney trainer was a big winner for Ladbrokes who were more than $11m richer from punters who backed Waller's 2393 runners during the season. • 'I want more Group 1s': Collett hungry for bigger wins after breakout year Other big names such as Ciaron Maher and James Cummings were also major winners for the betting giant. Melbourne Cup legend Sheila Laxon, who trains with husband John Symons, was a major punters' pal as punters who backed her runners during the season scooped more than $12m. It was a figure inflated by the Melbourne Cup fairytale of Knight's Choice, the roughie who became the first Queensland-trained winner in Melbourne Cup history. Punters cashed in backing Robbie Dolan, particularly after his Melbourne Cup success with Knight's Choice. Picture: Getty Images Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker has been airborne in 2024-2025 and bookmakers don't want another season where punters score a total win of $2.8m from his 756 runners in the just finished racing season. Victorians Grahame Begg and Matt Laurie were also strip outs for the Ladbrokes as punters scored more than $2m in profits from each. • Hayes brothers aim to challenge Maher for metro title In terms of horses, Blue Army warrior Zardozi was the biggest loser for Ladbrokes punters who dusted off a combined $1.79m from backing the mare during the season. Buckaroo wasn't far behind, producing a $1.69m loss for punters, while Giga Kick backers contributed a $1.2m profit to the betting agency's book. Knight's Choice was a $12m stripout for Ladbrokes, while superstars Via Sistina, Bella Nipotina and Treasurethe Moment were also major winners for punters. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WINNERS AND LOSERS FOR PUNTERS ON THE LADBROKES BOOK IN 2024-25 JOCKEYS LOSERS 1 – Jamie Melham -$5,581,866.93 (361 rides) 2 – Kerrin McEvoy -$4,492,367.27 (676 rides) 3 – Joao Moreira -$3,864,933.11 (74 rides) 4 – William Pike -$3,212,143.34 (696 rides) PUNTERS' PALS 1 – Robbie Dolan +$11,054,451.36 (461 rides) 2 – Tim Clark +$2,374,223.91 (541 rides) 3 – Jordan Childs +$1,664,016.45 (594 rides) 4 – Clint Johnston-Porter +$1,106,652.31 (817 rides) TRAINERS LOSERS 1 – Chris Waller -$11,675,709.76 (2393 runners) 2 – Ciaron Maher -$8,601,700.53 (2422 runners) 3 – James Cummings -$7,864,110.95 (680 runners) 4 – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr -$4,934,186 (873 runners) PUNTERS PALS 1 John Symonds & Sheila Laxon +$12,220,406.60 (98 runners) 2 Bjorn Baker +$2,800,614,27 (756 runners) 3 Graheme Begg +$2,153,303.56 (338 runners) 4 Matt Laurie +2,096,996.61 (338 runners) HORSES LOSERS 1 – Zardozi -$1,799,934.96 (12 starts) 2 – Buckaroo -$1,699,687.77 (9 starts) 3 – Giga Kick -$1,371,569.77 (6 starts) 4 – Vauban -$1,204,264.96 (4 starts) PUNTERS PALS 1 – Knight's Choice +12,406,829 (5 starts) 2 – Via Sistina +3,078,463.52 (9 starts) 3 – Bella Nipotina +$1,814,001.59 (5 starts) 4 – Treasurethe Moment +$1,792,389.19 (9 starts)
News.com.au
23-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes set to win 2024-25 Adelaide jockeys' premiership
Rochelle Milnes doesn't crave the limelight or dwell on individual accolades but her brilliance in the saddle has her destined for both. The rising star of South Australian racing is poised to win this season's Adelaide jockeys' premiership and become the first apprentice to secure the title since Jamie Melham in 2012-13. The 23-year-old from Port Lincoln has 44 city wins – a lead of four over nearest rival Lachlan Neindorf heading into Saturday's Lightning Stakes Day at Morphettville, as the curtain closes on the 2024-25 season. Milnes ' first full season at metro-level has been remarkable, with three city trebles and a bold frontrunning ride aboard Silent Surrente to win the Group 2 Adelaide Cup. • SA recap: Small stable on fire, gelding finally salutes two years on The young gun has the statewide jockeys' premiership sewn up and will become just the second apprentice in 30 years to win that title after Jason Holder achieved the feat in 1995-96. But with nine races still to be run at Morphettville on Saturday, Milnes won't be caught looking too far ahead. 'It's nice to have a little bit of a buffer,' Milnes, who is indentured to John Dunn & Krystal Bishop, said. 'I'd say four is a good amount, but to be honest, you never count your chickens before they hatch – I definitely won't go the early crow.' "Oh yes Rochelle!" A bold front-running ride from Rochelle Milnes sees Silent Surrente make it a local winner in the 2025 Adelaide Cup! ðŸ�† @Clarken_Racing @MilnesRochelle — (@Racing) March 10, 2025 What loomed as a battle between Milnes and fellow apprentice Taylor Johnstone has been infiltrated by Neindorf, who has torpedoed into second courtesy of a late season surge. 'I've felt like a bit of a frontrunner that has started to lose some legs late,' she said. 'If anyone can do it, it's definitely Lachy, he's making a good charge late. It was nice to chip one away (Saturday) and keep my head above water.' Milnes won't lose sleep over the premiership, however – she handles the pressure, which is a good trait to have in an industry in which the stakes are high and the pressure enormous. 'It's (premiership) not the be-all and end-all with my goals, but it's a nice goal to achieve,' Milnes said. 'I've tried not to worry too much about it. Win, lose or draw, to get a big season out of the way (will be good), obviously I can't complain with the season I've had. 'Even if I did come second or third, I'm not upset in any way – I've had a really good year.' • Enver chasing final flourish in Bletchingly Stakes Milnes was awarded Dux of the SA Apprentice Academy in January. She's also the face of Racing SA's national advertising campaign, galloping down the causeway of Lake MacDonnell aboard one of her ex-thoroughbreds. Milnes' achievements have surpassed anything she could've imagined and the origin of her success is a passion for horses that began as a youngster. She is simply doing what she loves. It just so happens that she's very, very good at it. 'I just love the horses, they have the old saying, 'do a job you love and you never work a day in your life', and that's really how I feel … being in the horse industry and even better being in the racing industry,' she said. '(The success) wasn't in my wildest imagination. 'Having my first race ride, I was just hoping to get a winner, it's happened so fast. 'I've really enjoyed the ride, I think all the achievements along the way have been above anything I could have hoped or asked for really.'
News.com.au
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Bridal Waltz's stunning upset over She's An Artist in Creswick Stake no surprise to Peter Moody
Bridal Waltz flipped the script on hot favourite She's An Artist to win the Listed AR Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington Saturday. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly led the field up and refused to wilt as She's An Artist chipped away late. Bridal Waltz finished third behind She's An Artist the start prior but could not be headed on Saturday as jockey Jamie Melham indicated a two-week turnaround potentially worked against the favourite. 'She went into that (last start) probably slightly underdone and was ready to peak today,' Moody said. 'Obviously respectful of the two that beat her comfortably the other day (She's An Artist and Fieldelo) but we thought we were in the wrong part of the track too. 'We were quietly confident we could turn it around, we just had to hope the favourite maybe wasn't as good as the hype.' Bridal Waltz 😲😲 The Melhams battled it out down the straight as odds-on favourite She's An Artist loomed to win for Jamie, but couldn't get past Bridal Waltz for Ben! You couldn't script it (and most punters didn't!) ðŸ'°ðŸ'ƒ @BMelham @moodyracingpgm â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 5, 2025 She's An Artist started $1.30 favourite but could not reel in $13 chance Bridal Waltz. Duchess Zou finished off nicely to grab third from Fieldelo. Moody said Bridal Waltz would be freshened up for early spring targets. 'We'll let the dust settle and then pick our mark carefully through the spring,' Moody said. 'We won't get too excited, Listed (today) if we could work on Group 3, Group 2, we know she can run down the Flemington straight. 'The Bobbie Lewis is a nice race where some other horses are maybe getting ready for bigger targets if you're ready for the day you can maybe sneak one of those.' Jockey Ben Melham controlled the race from the outset. 'We drew the right barrier to control the speed, I felt from that draw I'd be able to dictate the rest of the field,' Melham said. 'That was probably the difference, in saying that though, my filly dug really deep when I needed her to. 'I was able to control the race, control the speed, she's a fit horse, and let down too good for them in the end.' Melham joked about the potential repercussions of upstaging wife Jamie, the rider of She's An Artist. 'I'd be a fair chance of sleeping in the spare room, I'd imagine,' Melham laughed. Jamie Melham told stewards She's An Artist raced well but two weeks between runs blunted her finish being only a small filly.
