Melham keen to go after ban
DISQUALIFIED jockey Ben Melham is determined to make up for lost time after five months in racing exile.
Melham, who was rubbed out last December for betting offences, can resume riding from next Monday.
The 17-time Group 1 winner was last on horseback at Caulfield on December 12.
“I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on it, learn from it,” Melham said. “I’m ready to move on and regain some of the faith I’ve probably lost within the industry.”
Melham, 32, has relied on daily boxing and swimming, as well as riding a mechanical horse, to get in shape.
His disqualification – as opposed to suspension – excluded him from all racing activity, including going to races, stables or training facilities.
“I’m keen and hungry. It’s been enough time,” Melham said. “I’ve missed the game and now the winning post is in sight it’s really urging me to train harder and have myself right before I get back.
“There won’t be a hungrier jockey than me out there come the 24th of May.”
Despite the forced break, recent communications with trainers has been a welcome boost for Melham.
“I’ve had some calls from trainers saying they’re happy to support me when I get back,” Melham said.
“It’s really good to hear from people within the industry. A lot of people drop off you to a degree, so I’ve found that to be quite good, to be honest.”
Melham withdrew almost fully from the industry for the first half of the disqualification, reluctant to even watch races on television.
“I gave myself a little bit of a rest from it. It was actually good to forget about it for a while,” he said.
“By the same token … I still kept one eye on the bigger and better races.”
Melham instead prioritised family, partner Karlie and their three young children, and his own mental and physical wellbeing.
“I let-down basically. It was a good break mentally and physically on my body,” he said.
“I’ve amped up the training gradually, the diet and fitness. I’m very keen and mentally refreshed and ready to come back to what can be a taxing game, at times.
“It was unfortunate the way it came about and I’ve certainly learned my lesson, but if you take the positives out of it, it’s been really good for me both mentally and physically.”
Melham will hit the ground running next week, with track work every morning.
The top class jockey also intends to hit the road, taking more provincial rides than he necessarily would in the past.
Melham returns at an opportune time to secure rides, with a lot of top jockeys winding back commitments in coming weeks after busy autumn and winter carnivals.
“(That) opens a few doors for me get going with a few opportunities early, hopefully I can capitalise on them,” he said. “I feel really fit … keen to get to a few of the country meetings and get going again.”