When it comes to Group 1 success, few jockeys are as reliable as Mark Zahra. However, he faces a significant challenge aboard Ostraka in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Ostraka has drawn the widest barrier—gate 17 in a 17-horse field—adding an extra layer of difficulty to his first-up run in Victoria.
Ostraka’s Melbourne Preparation
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained gelding has been acclimating to Melbourne ahead of his maiden attempt at Group 1 level.
After a Sydney trial on January 30, Ostraka traveled south, where he finished second to I Wish I Win in a Pakenham 1000m jump-out on February 11. To further assist his preparation, he had a gallop on the Caulfield course proper on Tuesday.
“He wasn’t out there to break records, just a nice hit-out,” Archibald said.
“Caulfield can be a tricky track for first-timers, so it was important for him to have a look around. Just as crucial was giving Mark another feel for him before Saturday.”
Confidence in His Return
Archibald believes the recent jump-out provided confidence that Ostraka is returning in top form.
“You never truly know until race day, but he’s ticked every box so far,” he said.
“He’s looking sharp, his work has been strong, and we’re excited to see him in action.”
The Oakleigh Plate was identified as the ideal race to test Ostraka at Group 1 level under handicap conditions.
Sticking to Sprint Distances
Archibald confirmed the stable will focus on keeping Ostraka to shorter distances this campaign, following his unplaced finish in last November’s Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
“We were tempted by the prize money in the Golden Eagle after his Silver Eagle win,” he admitted.
“This time, we’ll keep him sharper and take things race by race.”
Despite the challenging draw, Zahra’s experience and Ostraka’s preparation give connections hope for a big performance in Saturday’s feature sprint.