Ben Melham has already had a big pay day this spring.
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The former Ballarat-based jockey took Rebel Dane to victory in the $1m Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.
This has been complemented by successes in the group 2 $200,000 Blazer Stakes, 1400m; group 3 $150,000 Coongy Cup, 2000m; group 2 $300,000 Moonee Valley Cup, 2500m; and then the listed $150,000 TCL QUHD TV Stakes, 1800m, at Flemington on Thursday.
Melham can top it off at Flemington on Saturday.
He has just the two rides, but they are in the biggest races of the day.
He is on Vanbrugh for Chris Waller in the group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes, 2000m, and Malaguerra for Moe trainer Peter Gelagotis in the group 1 $1m Darley Classic, 1200m.
Melham guided Vanbrugh to a last-start win in the Coongy Cup at Caulfield on October 15.
Malaguerra was formerly trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman and is having his second start for Gelagotis.
Melham combined with the five-year-old first-up when second to Star Turn in the group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 8.
Melham, who grew up in Ballarat and began his riding career as an apprentice with Darren Weir, sits just outside the top 10 in the city premiership with seven wins. He finished seventh with 37 wins in the title last season.
