Ernie Manning: How jockey Jamie Melham speared through narrow gaps to claim Melbourne Cup glory on Half Yours

Jockey Jamie Melham produced one of the Melbourne Cup’s most fearless rides when delivering victory on humbly-bred Half Yours to cap his meteoric rise from country obscurity. Melham daringly speared the powerful five-year-old chestnut through two needle-eye home straight gaps as he charged to an ultimate triumph in Tuesday’s race that stops a nation. The celebrated hoop squeezed Half Yours past Smokin’ Romans in restricted space that could barely accomodate a horse’s width. Then she then went where angels would fear to tread, grabbing a tiny opening between Royal Supremacy and Land Legend. Half Yours instantly unleashed dynamic acceleration when clear, exploding away to seal victory and acquire legendary status by completing a Caulfield-Melbourne cups double. It was a courageous tactics display by Melham, who cast aside memories of serious injuries she sustained in a Flemington fall 2 1/2 years ago, forcing her out of racing for several months. “There wasn’t much room for us, but Half Ours was going so well, and it didn’t matter,” Melham said when dismounting. She modestly gave credit to Half Ours, rather than accept plaudits for her intrepid exhibition. “He pulled me through gaps,” the hoop said. “When a horse is going that strongly, it’s best to let them take you where they want to go.” Melham skilfully navigated Half Yours across from barrier eight to land rails running in early stages. She let him cruise in 12th and 13th positions. Poised to strike on straightening, he rocketed to third at the 200m and drew away to leave opposition floundering. The odds were stacked against Half Yours becoming an Australian racing great. He is by former moderate Melbourne stayer St Jean, who has stood at Brackley Stud in central Victoria with a $3300 fee for the past eight seasons. Prominent Australian stallions command fees in excess of $100,000. Half Yours began his racing career at Camperdown, 190km west of Melbourne, and was beaten to second. He joined co-trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s stable after Geelong and Cranbourne wins. His first win after the transfer was at Seymour in April, then he scored Rosehill and Sunshine Coast victories. Half Yours emerged as a cups contender when winning September’s Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield. Irish raider Goodie Two Shoes ran the race of her life by finishing second in Tuesday’s cup, after being taken forward early to settle fifth. Third placegetter Middle Earth proved his stamina by storming home from 10th spot. River Of Stars finished strongly to run fourth after racing in seventh position. Torranzino, who pulled hard, showed toughness to finish fifth. Al Riffa (seventh) and Valiant King (16th) raced wide. Buckaroo, who ran last, was found to have bled internally.