Jamie Melham will miss the ride on Satono Glow in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Victoria Derby Day after copping a four-meeting suspension for careless riding in the Sydney Stakes at Randwick.
Updated 3pm AEDT, Monday 26 October: Melham’s appeal was dismissed by the Racing NSW Appeal Panel on Monday and her four-meeting suspension stands, ruling her out of Derby Day. Her husband Ben Melham will now ride Satono Glow in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Yahoo News Australia reported, with racing journalist Ray Thomas also reporting the outcome on X.
Earlier, Wednesday 21 October: Melham will appeal the suspension before the Racing NSW Appeal Panel on Monday 26 October, seeking at least a one-meeting reduction so she can ride Satono Glow on Derby Day, Betsy reported. Matthew Stirling will represent her, and trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have her husband Ben Melham on standby to ride Satono Glow if the appeal fails. Racing.com reported on Sunday that Melham had indicated she would appeal.
Melham pleaded guilty to shifting out aboard Marhoona and causing interference to Coal Crusher in Saturday’s race on The Everest day, Racenet reported. The incident happened near the 300m mark, with Marhoona going on to finish second to Grafterburners, according to Betsy.
The ban starts on Sunday 25 October, the day after the Cox Plate, and runs for seven days, ruling Melham out of Derby Day at Flemington on Saturday 31 October.
That meant the connections of Satono Glow needed a new jockey for the 1200m sprint. Racenet listed Satono Glow as the second favourite for the Coolmore, and Ben Melham has since been confirmed as the replacement rider. Melham won the Cap D’Antibes Stakes aboard Satono Glow at Flemington last month.
Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup rides safe
The timing of the suspension means Melham can still ride Caulfield Guineas runner-up Blind Raise in the Cox Plate on Saturday 24 October, Betsy reported.
Read more: Jamie Melham Booked for Blind Raise in Cox Plate Bid
She will also be free to ride in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday 3 November, with the ban finishing before Cup day.
The suspension caps a big weekend of spring racing, with Tempted winning The Everest at Randwick and Kingswood taking out the Caulfield Cup for trainer Gavin Bedggood and jockey John Allen.
Read more: Tempted Wins The Everest 2026: Godolphin Mare Topples Ka Ying Rising at Randwick
More Horse Racing News
- Jamie Melham Booked for Blind Raise in Cox Plate Bid
- Kingswood Wins Caulfield Cup 2026 for Gavin Bedggood and John Allen
- Tempted Wins The Everest 2026: Godolphin Mare Topples Ka Ying Rising at Randwick
- Melbourne Cup 2026: 58 Horses Left After Second Declarations
Gamble responsibly. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
