Melham off the Pine to test 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes hopes

Jamie Melham’s bid for back-to-back Blue Diamond Stakes victories gains momentum this weekend at Caulfield.

The newly-married jockey, who claimed last year’s $2 million Group 1 aboard the late Hayasugi as Jamie Kah, will partner with promising Godolphin colt Aleppo Pine in the colts and geldings Prelude, while also taking the reins on Gin Spirit in the fillies division.

The 1100-metre Preludes have long been considered the top lead-up races for the Blue Diamond, and Melham, who guided Hayasugi to victory in both the fillies Preview and Prelude last year, is eager to see how his mounts perform.

“I really love these two-year-old races and I’m excited to see how these two go on the weekend because a lot can play out,” Melham said.

“I’m definitely not locking in one for the Diamond already, you’ve got to see how these two-year-olds perform in the next few weeks, which is really exciting.

“The Blue Diamond is so hard to win. I was fortunate enough to win on the beautiful Hayasugi last year and she was obviously talented, but she won it because she was just so advanced in her temperament and that’s what they need in two-year-old racing as well.”

Gin Spirit, trained by Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, made an impressive debut at Morphettville on January 25 and is currently a $12 chance in the fillies Prelude, which is led by Blue Diamond favourite My Gladiola. Meanwhile, Aleppo Pine is the top pick for the colts and geldings Prelude and holds the second-favourite position for the Blue Diamond.

The James Cummings-trained colt was outstanding in his only start to date, winning under Jye McNeil at Ballarat on December 7. Melham will take her first ride on him in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 3 Prelude.

She was unavailable for his two recent jumpouts, so her husband, Ben Melham, stepped in for a strong trial win at Caulfield Heath last week, leaving her impressed by his feedback.

“I really liked his trial the other day and it takes a lot to get Ben excited and he just said, ‘wow’,” Melham said.

“I called him afterwards and he just said, ‘wow, he’s a nice horse’, so that gives me a lot of encouragement.”

Aleppo Pine will jump from barrier two in the 13-horse colts and geldings Prelude, while Gin Spirit has drawn barrier six in the fillies Prelude, which also features a 13-horse field.