Ben Melham appeals careless riding ban

Ben Melham has lodged an appeal against a seven-meeting careless riding suspension which threatens to rule him out of one spring Saturday meeting.

Melham was suspended after pleading guilty to a charge from the opening race at Sandown on Wednesday aboard Miss Vixen.

His ban starts after Saturday’s Caulfield meeting where his rides include multiple Group One winner Le Romain in the $1 million Memsie Stakes (1400m).

Melham’s appeal is scheduled for Monday.

The Golden Slipper-winning jockey would need to have one meeting shaved off the ban to be free to ride on Saturday week.