“Disgrace”: Calls for Melham to be suspended

Jockey Ben Melham was handed a reprimand and $1000 fine for his ride on Torque To Be Sure in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.

With 100m to go in the $3 million race, Melham bumped into Tommy Berry who was aboard Ninja.

Melham ended up winning the race, while Berry came second – a protest followed, but was dismissed by the stewards.

Speaking outside of the result of the protest, racing analyst Tom Haylock believes that Melham was only handed a slap on the wrist for his ride, and is adamant that the hoop should’ve been suspended.

“Ben Melham - I think that was a disgrace,” Haylock said on SENTrack’s Layback.

“At no point did Ben Melham stop riding, at no point during the race did he change whip hands or straighten the horse up.

“The stewards made reference to him straightening the horse up after the line. What does that matter? It doesn't.

“So, Ben Melham escaped with a reprimand and a $1000 fine for improper whip use.

“How on earth (is that the punishment)? Suspend him!”

Haylock continued by emphasising that the minor penalty is not good enough from the sport.

“He gave a clear hip and shoulder, it was a huge bump, caused interference, came out several lanes - that is not good enough,” Haylock exclaimed.

“How you get a reprimand and not a suspension for that is beyond me.”

Click here to read why Ninja protest dismissal was the "right decision"!