Champion jockey Jamie Melham made history on board Half Yours on Tuesday, but she wouldn’t have even started the race had she agreed to her mother’s request back in 2023 not to keep racing at all.

Melham was in bed by 11pm after becoming the first woman to ride the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, her night of celebrations ending early when the enormity of her achievement hit her, the colour drained from her face and exhaustion took over.

But she was wide awake by 2am, tuning into replays of her memorable ride on the five-year-old gelding.

Melham almost didn’t get the ride on Half Yours. Trainer Tony McEvoy revealed the decision to put her on the horse for the spring was made after Harry Coffey was already booked for the Caulfield Cup on Zardozi and Ash Morgan had been earmarked to rid

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