Melham sticks with Barman despite suspension

Ben Melham has foregone two Group 1 rides on the final day of the Flemington Carnival, so he can ride Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) in Tuesday's G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Melham will miss the rides on Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) in the Mackinnon Stakes and Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire} in the VRC Sprint Classic after stewards slapped him with a six-meeting ban for excessive whip use aboard Victoria Derby runner-up Stars Of Carrum (Fiorente {Ire}).

Jockey Ben Allen was also given an 11-meeting suspension for his ride on Peaceful State (Animal Kingdom {USA}) in the G1 Kennedy Mile, which will begin after Melbourne Cup Day.

Dean Yendall was outed for 10 meetings for careless riding on Cliff's Edge (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) in the same race.

Time To Reign remains on Slipper path

Time To Reign (Time For War) will be sent to the paddock with the G1 Golden Slipper S. on the mind of trainer Gary Portelli after making it two wins from as many starts in the Lack Group S. at Rosehill.

The half-brother to 2017 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) put in a professional performance to lead all the way in the 1100m event, backing up his success in the Kirkham Plate from two weeks' ago.

He was briefly challenged by second-placed Jonah (Hinchinbrook), but found enough to win by 0.8l, with Espinola (Bel Esprit), another three lengths back in third.

"I think he probably saw him coming and he had a good dig and did enough to get the job done today," Portelli said.

"I'm sure we have to improve a lot to win a Golden Slipper off today, but it’s only his first preparation, and he's certainly going the right way."

"I think with the pedigree he's got, we’d be mad not to go to the Slipper. More than likely the Silver Slipper first-up like we did last time with the girl (She Will Reign) and if he's good enough, he'll be in the Slipper off some good performances."

Roheryn announces himself as a future star

Group 1 targets await Roheryn (Lonhro) after his four-length win at his second start at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Godolphin colt was coming off a strong midweek win on a heavy track and took the step up to benchmark class in the Dynaton Sales Hire BM76 Hcp, sitting last before arrogantly sweeping past his rivals in the straight.

Godolphin stable representative Darren Beadman was suitably impressed by what he saw and admitted the colt, out of Group-winning mare Mannington, making him a half-brother to Victoria Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready) and multiple group winner Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}), had a big future.

"The small field helped him but wow, that was impressive," he said. "He seems to have some quality about him."

"Hopefully down the track there might be something big in store for him."

Gary Portelli, trainer of the second-placed Ronstar (Zoustar), suggested post-race that Roheryn would not have been out of place in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington.

Quick turnaround no issue

Co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan is unconcerned about backing up G3 Bendigo Cup placegetter Sir Charles Road (Myboycharlie) into Tuesday’s G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“He did from the Chairman’s into the Sydney Cup with only a week in between so I don’t think it will worry him,” he said.

“His last race has improved him, and it would want to as the competition will go to another level with all the internationals.”

Sir Charles Road, who won the G2 Chairman’s before finishing third in the G1 Sydney Cup, finished a strong third in the Bendigo Cup.

“He looks fantastic, very bright and glowing in the coat,” O’Sullivan said.

“It’s fantastic to have a runner in the Cup and we’re just going to enjoy the day.”

Stayer set for lucrative summer

Five To Midnight (Domesday) showed he was in prime order for the major cup features this summer with a strong staying performance to win on his home Awapuni track on Saturday.

He carried his topweight of 60kg to victory in the Listed Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup for trainer Lisa Latta and rider Johnathan Parkes.

“He’s just furnished into a much stronger horse this time in,” Latta said.

“I thought he might have needed the run after we gave him a week off after Hawke’s Bay.

“He was very settled in the birdcage and usually when he’s like that he runs his best races.”

Five To Midnight raced toward the back of the field, but once Parkes for him to the outside with 500 metres to run he lengthened impressively to beat Ringo (Fastnet Rock), who was in receipt of five kilos.

“We look at the Counties Cup and then maybe the Manawatu Cup or the Waikato Cup,” Latta said.

Stakes return for smart colt

Peter McKay is eyeing a return to black type company with Cavallo Veloce (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).

“There’s a couple of stakes races coming up at the end of the month,” the Matamata trainer said.

“He’s going to be a really nice horse, he’s still a bit green at the moment.”

Runner-up in the Listed El Roca Trophy in his seasonal debut, Cavallo Veloce took advantage of a drop back in company to open his winning account in Saturday’s Sunlive Maiden at Tauranga.

“He’s a half-brother to Sir Charles Road so hopefully he’ll get over more ground later on.”

The pair are out of the Giant’s Causeway (IRE) mare Giant Mystique (NZ) with Cavallo Veloce, a NZ$150,000 Karaka yearling, is a three-quarter brother to the multiple Singapore stakes winner War Affair (NZ).

Debut winner takes the eye

Tony Pike unveiled a smart 3-year-old in Sacred Accord (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) at Tauranga.

The Cambridge trainer produced the powerful gelding for the first time in the Christmas at the Races Maiden and he bolted up after making all the running.

“He’s a big horse with a massive action,” Pike said. “He’s very talented, but he’s still got a lot to learn and will improve.

“He’s got a high cruising speed and that’s the first time he’s been put under any pressure and he did it very well.”

Sacred Accord was a NZ$190,000 buy at Karaka out of Waikato Stud’s draft by Raffles Racing.

He is out of Chorus (NZ) (Danasinga), who is a half-sister to the G1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce S., winner Good Faith (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) and the family of the three-time Group 1 winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}).