Jamie Melham getting used to new name
New York Lustre will forever hold a special place in the heart of jockey Jamie Melham after securing a thrilling victory at Sandown.
Trained by Enver Jusufovic, New York Lustre delivered Melham her first win since marrying fellow jockey Ben Melham last month, triumphing in the John Moule Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.
“It’s so weird to hear you say that, Jamie Melham,” she said after the race. “She was my last winner as Jamie Kah and now my first as Jamie Melham. That’s pretty cool.”
Starting as the $1.85 betting site favourite, New York Lustre fought hard to clinch victory by a nose over Shesallshenanigans ($4.60), with Bellinger ($11) finishing third, 1-¾ lengths behind.
This win marked New York Lustre’s third consecutive victory this campaign, following two previous wins over 1000m, including a recent success at Flemington on January 11.
Reflecting on the race, Melham admitted she may have misjudged the horse’s capabilities after the Flemington win. “Last time I thought she wanted 1200 metres and would eat it up, but today she wasn’t great at the 1200 and definitely peaked on the line,” Melham said.
“Maybe it was fitness, but I’ll put my hand up, and I was slightly wrong then. She reared in the gates, missed the start a touch and just got over-racing in the first 400 (metres), not badly, but it definitely affected her on the line. She was going to win by three or four, that was the feeling she gave, but she peaked on her run.”
Originally, New York Lustre was scratched from a race at Sandown the previous Saturday, with plans to compete in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) later on Saturday’s program. However, after reviewing the nominations and the likely competition, connections opted for the benchmark 90 race instead.
“She commenced the campaign in a benchmark 58 and now she is a two-time city winner and in a benchmark 90,” Jusufovic said. “(Owner) Mike Howard is quite staunch on placement, placing them in the right company, and when the noms came out for the Bellmaine, surprisingly it looked a task at this stage of her career. We had the other option, and it proved fruitful today.”
More Racing News
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...
Sheza Alibi's move back to Pakenham imminent
The serious phase of training is fast approaching for Sheza Alibi.The exciting filly is drawing near the end of her northern sojourn in Queensland and will soon be repatriated to the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.The daughter of Saxon Warrior journeyed north following her stunning victory...
Cellarmaster triumphs in a tight finish to claim the Winx Guineas
In a thrilling conclusion, Cellarmaster ($5.50) narrowly pipped Platinum Pantheon ($6.50) at the post, with Rustemo ($8.50) trailing in third, more than a length adrift.Leading bookmakers noted Cellarmaster's winning dividend at $5.50, while the favoured runner Within The Law ($2.60) failed to live up to expectations despite being heavily supported.The...
James Healy celebrates first stakes win with Arabian Rose in Glasshouse Handicap
Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy has secured his maiden stakes victory thanks to the unheralded mare Arabian Rose, who triumphed in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on her home track at Caloundra.Initially listed as the third emergency when final acceptors were declared, Arabian Rose's place in the field was uncertain, with...
Wise Inlaw Triumphs in Creswick Stakes with Cartwright Up
Luke Cartwright achieved a career highlight aboard Wise Inlaw in Saturday's $175,000 A R Creswick Stakes at Flemington over 1200 metres.The leading metropolitan apprentice in Victoria notched his first Stakes race victory guiding the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained gelding to the winner's circle in the Listed event.This occasion represented...
Thebudgiesmugla primed for spring carnival after Caloundra Cup win
Trainer Bjorn Baker has indicated that Thebudgiesmugla will likely bypass the upcoming Grafton Cup, with his sights set firmly on the spring carnival, specifically targeting a Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.This impressive run comes from a five-year-old gelding who initially arrived from New Zealand with questions surrounding his suitability,...