WHILE leading jockeys Damien Oliver and Corey Brown yesterday chose not to appeal careless charges incurred on Melbourne Cup day, fellow rider Ben Melham was more fortunate when he had a two-month suspension overturned by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, reports The Age.It says: On Monday, jockey Craig Williams failed to convince VCAT to grant him a stay of proceedings pending an appeal against a careless riding suspension in a bid to ride Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden. However, M

WHILE leading jockeys Damien Oliver and Corey Brown yesterday chose not to appeal careless charges incurred on Melbourne Cup day, fellow rider Ben Melham was more fortunate when he had a two-month suspension overturned by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, reports The Age.

It says: On Monday, jockey Craig Williams failed to convince VCAT to grant him a stay of proceedings pending an appeal against a careless riding suspension in a bid to ride Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden. However, Melham yesterday had his appeal upheld. In front of VCAT judges Chris O'Neill and John Nixon, Melham, 27, was appealing against a charge of failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure his mount was given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place.

Melham rode race favourite Numen Lumen at Mornington on September 23. Racing Victoria stewards' case was based on two separate stages of the race, with the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board having to be satisfied that Melham had failed to take runs on both occasions for the appeal to be dismissed. After a near all-day hearing, VCAT upheld Melham's appeal. Melham has ridden since Cox Plate day after successfully gaining a stay of proceedings. (www.theage.com.au)