‘No one better’: red-hot Zahra steals show on Derby day
Shayne Hope |
Super hoop Mark Zahra has underlined his status as one of Australia’s hottest jockeys, claiming the $2 million feature en route to a record-equalling quartet of wins on Victoria Derby day.
Zahra won four consecutive races, including two of the three Group 1 events on offer, and was only denied a fifth by another record-setter – the Ciaron Maher-trained crowd favourite Pride Of Jenni – on Saturday at Flemington.
The 43-year-old was a dominant winner aboard Tentyris in the stallion-making Coolmore Stud Stakes, before piloting Observer in a gutsy start-to-finish Derby win.
Both colts are owned by global breeding juggernaut Godolphin.
Earlier, Zahra had Group 2 wins with Getta Good Feeling in the Wakeful Stakes and popular Warnie in the Damien Oliver.
“What a day. Unbelievable,” Zahra said.
“It just shows riding for the best owners, the best horses.
“The manager does his job, I did my job – what a great day.”
Two-time Melbourne Cup winner Zahra’s previous best was three race wins across the four-day Flemington carnival.
He now has four from the opening day of the 2025 edition, including his first Victoria Derby, and will ride international fancy Al Riffa in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Observer answered the call when challenged late by second-placed Arcora, with Deal Done Fast third and One Step Closer fourth.
Zahra wasn’t sure if he wanted to lead on the three-year-old son of Ghaiyyath, but was given confidence to do so by trainer Maher.
“He never switches right off. He’s always on the bridle, but geez he’s tough,” Zahra said.
“He was tough and strong – he races exactly like his old man.
“Late when they got to him he found again.”
Zahra was fined for not riding out Observer in a dominant last-start Moonee Valley Vase victory.
The champion jockey later noted he was saving the horse for the Derby – and was thrilled with the result on Saturday.
“It cost me $1500, but I saved those few lengths for today,” he said.
Maher was thrilled with Zahra’s performance in Australia’s oldest classic.
“He took luck out of it,” Maher said.
“He’s riding on the crest of a wave. There’s no one riding any better. He’s a great mate.
“It’s just fantastic for Godolphin and to be able to train a colt like that, he’s got so much ahead of him and so much furnishing to do.”
Maher claimed a consecutive pair of Group 1 triumphs himself when Pride Of Jenni became the first multiple winner of the $1 million Empire Rose Stakes.
Declan Bates rode the winner, with Zahra second on Leica Lucy and On Display third.
It was Pride Of Jenni’s first Group 1 triumph since her comeback in March.
“Ecstatic and appreciative, respectful, just an amazing horse,” Maher said.
“To continually do what she does, she never ceases to amaze me.
“Dec (Bates) is a beautiful guy and f***ing rides her fantastic.
“(Owner) Tony (Ottobre), fair play to him. I know he got a lot of stick for not retiring and racing on.
“But the mare’s happy, she’s sound and doing what she does. There’s nothing better.”
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris secured his future as a stallion with his explosive Coolmore Stud Stakes victory.
Zahra timed his run perfectly as Tentyris won from the race’s only filly, My Gladiola, with Legacy Bound third and another Godolphin colt Beiwacht fourth.
Tentyris was only the third favourite in a dozen years to win the $2 million sprint.
“He’s very good. Today he was dominant,” Anthony Freedman said.
“He didn’t have all the favours, but then produced an electric turn of foot.”
AAP
