Melham, Allen free to ride on Guineas day

Ben Melham has had two meetings shaved off a careless riding suspension on appeal.

Ben Melham is free to ride on Caulfield Guineas day after having the severity of a careless riding suspension reduced on appeal.

Fellow jockey John Allen has also had a win on appeal against the severity of a careless riding ban and can ride on Saturday.

Melham was banned for nine meetings at Ballarat last Thursday but the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board shaved two meetings off that penalty at Monday’s hearing in Melbourne.

That paves the way for Melham to ride at Saturday’s meeting which features four Group One races highlighted by the $2 million Guineas.

Allen was suspended for eight meetings at the same Ballarat meeting.

He was successful on Monday in having his suspension reduced by one and is also free return this Saturday.

Two other Group One-winning jockeys have also lodged appeals against careless riding suspensions which will be heard on Tuesday.

James Winks has appealed the decision and severity of a 12-meeting ban for careless riding in the final race at Seymour on Sunday.

Michael Dee has also appealed the decision and severity of his eight-meeting penalty for careless riding at the Seymour meeting.