Ben Melham enjoyed one of his finest days in an esteemed riding career when collecting both Group 1s at Caulfield on Saturday, claiming the Underwood and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Melham first delivered Birdman ($6) from the one-out, two-back position to run past Cosmic Crusader ($2.30f) in the Underwood (1800m) after positioning behind the star West Aussie throughout.

Melham said, Birdman, who had claimed a Group 1 in the Doomben Cup only two starts prior before heading for a winter break, had been a “revelation”.

“He really found his niche last time in,” Melham said.

“He put the writing on the wall first-up. It was a good run.

“He had a trial obviously just to keep him up to the mark and I was a bit worried he would feel the ground a little bit.

“But race day with the blinkers on, we had a beautiful trail. We came off the bit before the corner when the sprint went on, and I gave him a squeeze just to pick him up.

“He picked quickly. He got there too soon and that’s not his go. He had a good look around and won with a bit in hand, so I think he’s a good 2000m horse.”

William Pike gave Cosmic Crusader a sweet steer, but the gelding could offer no resistance to Birdman when he was challenged upon straightening.

“I gave him the ride I wanted to give him,” Pike said.

“I think he’s looking for further and I think I was a spot too close.

“He didn’t quite chase until the bird had flown. He was still chasing hard but outsprinted at the top of the straight.”

Just over an hour later, Melham was back in the winners’ circle with Angel Capital ($5.50), who reversed the result on Sepals ($12) from last year.

In that edition, Angel Capital was horribly blocked for a run and a good thing beaten but this time, Melham was able to find clear sailing before the turn, and he dashed to a three-quarter-length win.

“Finally. This horse, I’ve praised his ability from day dot,” Melham said.

“I just knew, today, it was the first time he’s been in a race where everything suited him, and everything would go to plan. He had the right conditions

“We found a good speed, and he found a good rhythm. Obviously, Chris (Waller) is a master of setting these horses for these races.

“He looked a picture in the yard when I got on him. He had a little pigroot when he went out onto the track and just rolled to the barriers in the zone.”

The Group 1 triumph enhanced the five-year-old’s stallion prospects and gave Waller another feature win on the afternoon after scoring with Birdman and Autumn Glow ($1.16f) in Sydney’s main race.

“The ability has never been the question with him. He’s a very good colt, as you’ve seen there today,” Melham said.

“But he’s so big and he’s such a brute. He’s not an easy horse to ride.

“But when things go his way, you’ve seen what he can do.

“He’s always been like it. He just needs to chill out a little bit, and he’s come a long way.

“He’s raced against the best company all the time and he’s stiff not to have won a Group 1 up until now.”