Mark Zahra to ride in Premier’s Cup

Melbourne jockey Mark Zahra will ride Premier’s Cup hopeful Rudy at Doomben with Blake Shinn honouring a commitment to Junoob in the Group Two race.

Rudy scored his first win since the 2014 Group Two Villiers Stakes when he stormed home to finish in a dead-heat with Jumbo Prince in the Listed Members Hcp (1600m) at Doomben two weeks ago.

Shinn rode Rudy in that race and trainer Helen Page was keen to keep him for Saturday.

“Blake had a previous commitment for Chris Waller’s Junoob. He obviously rides a lot for Chris so I understand,” Page said.

She was able to get Zahra who will be in Brisbane to ride the Doomben 10000 favourite Azkadellia.

“Mark is a very experienced jockey and he should suit Rudy,” she said.

While Rudy is better known as 1600m horse his owner Tom Clarke has been keen to try him again over a middle distance.

Rudy has had one start at 2400m when well beaten in the 2014 Queensland Derby.

“He ran very well at 2000 metres in the JRA Cup in Sydney and we will see how he goes this Saturday,” Page said.

Jumbo Prince will stick to 1600m in Saturday’s Group Three Lord Mayor’s Cup.

 

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au

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