Jockey Mark Zahra is anticipating his return to the saddle with stayer Middle Earth for the upcoming Melbourne Cup, having been away from the horse for nearly a year.
Zahra was involved in the initial stages of Middle Earth’s career at Ciaron Maher’s stable, securing victory in the Australian Cup Prelude with the gelding on its Australian debut.
Following his ride on Middle Earth in last year’s Caulfield Cup, Zahra made the decision to switch to Al Riffa for the Melbourne Cup, a choice that led to him being sidelined from riding Middle Earth for the better part of twelve months.
As it transpired, Middle Earth finished third in the previous year’s Cup, with Al Riffa placing seventh. Nevertheless, Zahra is more than content to be back aboard Middle Earth for Tuesday’s 3200-metre event at Flemington.
“I jumped off him to ride Al Riffa last year and I think the owners weren’t happy, so I got a year ban, but I’m back on now,” Zahra explained.
“He ran well when I rode him in the Turnbull in a hard race and he’s going along nicely.”
Zahra perceives a distinct similarity between Middle Earth’s current preparation and that of Gold Trip in the lead-up to the Cup.
Gold Trip was the horse that provided Zahra with his first of two consecutive Cup wins in 2022.
Middle Earth, in a similar vein to Gold Trip, competed in the Cox Plate before the Melbourne Cup and wore blinkers, a gear choice that will be repeated for the gelding in Tuesday’s race.
Zahra was unable to race due to his Caulfield Cup fall when Middle Earth participated in the Cox Plate, but he closely observed the race from home.
“I was watching a few that day, hoping they didn’t win, but I was watching him and hoping he would run well,” Zahra said.
“He didn’t win, but I thought he ran well.
“It was a different level of race to what he ran in last year (JRA Cup), but what I wanted to see was him hitting the line.
“I think Ciaron ran the same path the year Gold Trip won, blinkers on in the Cox Plate and then up to the Melbourne Cup and Ciaron has set him specifically for this race after he won at Eagle Farm in the winter.
“I like the planning for the horse. He ran third in it last year and is in it with a great chance.”
Zahra is a formidable rider in major races, and he combined with Maher to secure victory in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with The Next Episode at Flemington on Saturday.
However, he indicated that winning the Melbourne Cup represents a distinct level of accomplishment.
“I think once you have success in the Melbourne Cup, the Caulfield Cup and these big races, you long for that feeling,” Zahra commented.
“Going to Flemington, you look around, the numbers, it gets me right up and about.
“It’s a race you want to win and once you’ve achieved it, you become confident and you really embrace these big days.”
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