Racing
Jamie Melham in line for Cups double
Half Yours has been displaced as Melbourne Cup favourite following the Call Of The Card.
Jamie Melham is routine driven and likes nothing better than being out on horseback.
The endless media calls ahead of riding the Half Yours in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday has made that even more important.
Melham partnered Half Yours to win the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18 for which he was installed favourite, a position he retained after Saturday's barrier drawn for the Melbourne Cup.
But some huge bets at Monday's Call Of The Card has seen Half Yours displaced as favourite with Irish raider Al Riffa now the top elect.
And after undergoing compulsory veterinary inspections on Monday, all 24 runners have been passed fit to compete in Tuesday race.
Melham said she was lost for words in becoming the first female jockey to win the Caulfield Cup and is aiming to become the second to win the Melbourne Cup after Michelle Payne's historic victory in 2015.
"There's is a video of all the trainers and jockeys that have won the Melbourne Cup, and the feeling, they don't know how to put it into words," Melham said.
"That's what it was like with the Caulfield Cup. All I wanted to do was get off and hug the horse.
"I was emotional after all that goes into being a jockey over the last 10 to 12 years.
"You always dream of winning a Caulfield Cup or a Melbourne Cup, but you don't always expect it to happen, and it still hasn't sunk in yet."
Melham's last win was in the Caulfield Cup, and she has had just 12 race rides since.
But is has not stopped her from being out on horseback and she was sticking with her routine despite the pressure of Melbourne Cup Day approaching.
"I rode trackwork this morning. I like to keep things as normal as I can," Melham said.
"I'll help (husband) Ben (Melham) when he goes to the gym and the sauna later on, then just do the form tonight.
"The hardest part is everything else. When you get legged onto the horse, that's the easiest part and everything sets back into your routine.
"I'm very excited. This horse is looking amazing, he's feeling amazing. He'll love the rain, I don't, but he loves it."
Melham stayed away from the Caulfield Cup barrier draw and was absent from Saturday night's Melbourne Cup draw fearing she would jinx it.
Half Yours came up with gate eight, a position she said would give Half Yours every opportunity.
"We've drawn a lovely barrier, and it makes my job a little bit easier," Melham said.
"I would love to get as close to the rail as I can, put him to sleep early and I don't think he will have any problem running this trip out."
Following Monday's Call Of The Card, Half Yours was displaced as favourite by Al Riffa following a $500,000 wager at $8, another of $50,000 at $8, $150,000 at $7.50 and a further $150,000 at $7.
Half Yours also attracted his supporters with a bet to win $150,000 at $8.50, another of $150,000 at $8.50 with a further $16,000 at $8.
Al Riffa closed as the $7 favourite ahead of Half Yours at $8 with Valiant King ($9) and Buckaroo ($10) next in line.
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