Jamie Melham rides one of the leading chances in Australia’s first Group 1 of the year at Caulfield on Saturday, but she took time out on Friday morning to test out her ride in next week’s feature event.
Melham partnered Traffic Warden to win an 800-metre jumpout at Flemington that contained a handful of horses heading to Saturday week’s Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).
The James Cummings-trained colt jumped well and was held together by Melham for most of the jumpout but was given just enough rein to get home by a head from Espionage, who held out the fast-finishing Benedetta for second.
Isthmus was fourth, beaten around a length despite being allowed to coast to the line, while Lightning favourite Switzerland followed them home in what was a familiarisation gallop with the strip of turf where he won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring.
Melham is excited about reuniting with Traffic Warden, a son of Street Boss who she partnered to victory in last year’s Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington over 1400m but she thinks he has the talent to be one of Australia’s top sprinters.
“The idea early was that he was going to step up in trip but he’s just so brilliant,” Melham said.
“The 1200 is probably more his go, but he’ll be fresh and I don’t think 1000 down the straight will bother him at all.”
Friday’s jumpout took place the day before the $750,000 Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m), in which Melham will partner another son of Street Boss – the Ciaron Maher-trained Another Wil – who is second favourite behind Mr Brightside.
The five-year-old’s only defeat in four runs at 1400m last campaign was a half-length second placing in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Melham said the Caulfield 1400m was his sweet spot.
“That’s definitely his go and he was very, very good last start at Caulfield in the Group 1,” she said.
“I think 1400 is his ideal trip. We tried to stretch him out over a touch further, but I think he just does a bit too much, so I think the 1400 is definitely his go.”
Another Wil will start from barrier three in the 10-horse C F Orr Stakes.
