There was the Covid scandal and an induced coma but Jamie Melham can now be remembered first and foremost as a Melbourne Cup winner
A decade on from Michelle Payne's pioneering win, Australia's greatest race goes to a female rider for the second time
Ten minutes after realising a lifelong dream, Jamie Melham walked on to Channel 9's broadcast podium, the rider's head sandwiched between her two hands. For a second she looked up to the sky before walking across to Michelle Payne. They then hugged each other, sharing a precious moment having already shared a momentous achievement.
During the build-up to this Lexus Melbourne Cup, Payne has been omnipresent. It was ten years ago that she partnered Prince Of Penzance to a history-making success. It brought her fame, fortune and a feature film that told the story of how she became the first female jockey to claim Australia's greatest horserace. Where once there was one, now there are two.
No outcome could have been more fitting, for a mood of infectious optimism and positivity has surrounded this spring carnival, whose pinnacle prize provided icing on the cake.
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