Ben Melham steps in for Jamie on Satono Glow

Ben Melham will step in for his suspended wife Jamie by riding leading Coolmore Stud Stakes contender Satono Glow at Flemington on Saturday.

Jamie Melham’s appeal against a careless riding suspension and the severity of the penalty was dismissed by the Racing NSW Appeals Panel, which ruled the four-meeting ban remain for careless riding when on Marhoona in the Group 2 Sydney Stakes on October 17.

As a result of Monday’s decision, trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have turned to Ben Melham to ride the progressive Satono Aladdin filly in the $2 million straight-course 1200m Group 1 race for three-year-olds.

Satono Glow, the $4 second favourite behind The Next Episode ($3), has won four of her five starts including a blistering last-start win in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10.

The New Zealand-bred filly has already won twice at Flemington, winning the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes over 1200m on March 28 and first-up in the Group 3 Cap D’Antibes on September 12.

Jamie Melham’s four-meeting suspension will expire on Derby Day, allowing her to ride for the following three Melbourne Cup Carnival cards.