Ben Melham fined for frivolous protest at Flemington

Brad Waters - Saturday Oct 7

Ben Melham has been fined for lodging a frivolous protest, which stewards dismissing in near record time, in Saturday's Listed Antler Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

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Backers of Snitzepeg are counting their cash and they didn't have long to worry about a protest

Ben Melham rode the Mitchell Freedman-trained Bravo Tango into second place behind Snitzepeg before lodging an objection against the result alleging interference at the 500m mark.

Stewards heard submissions from both Melham and Snitzepeg's rider Dean Yendall before taking less than 30 seconds to throw out the objection.

After the race stewards told Melham to see them later to make a submission as to why his protest was not frivolous.

They later called him back in and fined him $400.

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