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Zahra on tight schedule

3 minute read

Mark Zahra is heading to the US to watch the Super Bowl after he rides in a Group 1 race at Caulfield on Saturday.

Jockey : MARK ZAHRA.
Jockey : MARK ZAHRA. Picture: Steve Hart

Time will be of the essence for two-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Mark Zahra as the Caulfield meeting nears its end on Saturday. 

A big sports lover and in particular American Football, Zahra is booked to fly to the US on Saturday night to attend the Super Bowl in Las Vegas on Monday (Australian time). 

As he has done in the past two years, Zahra will make a dash to the airport after riding in the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m). 

Two years ago, Zahra guided Tofane to victory in the Orr Stakes while last year he was first over the line aboard Gentleman Roy, only to lose the race in the stewards' room following a protest by Damian Lane on Jacquinot

The Orr is race nine on Saturday's program at 4.55pm while Zahra is booked to ride Blanc De Blanc for Michael Freedman in the final race, the Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m) at 5.35pm. 

"My manager usually gives me a spray when I tell him I might have to get off one," Zahra said. 

"I think my flight is around 7.20 (pm), so I should have enough time to get out of Caulfield and get the plane." 

Zahra said he had heard the plans Taylor Swift was making after performing in Tokyo on Saturday night in her bid to get the Las Vegas for the Super Bowl the following day. 

He said his travel was more arduous. 

"I've seen what Taylor Swift has to do to get back from Japan, and mine is even worse than that," Zahra said. 

"I don't know what she's carrying on for. 

"I fly to LA, then straight on to Vegas and get in late Saturday night. 

"The game is Sunday. I'll have a bit of lunch on Monday, then get another plane to get back. 

"It's a quick turnaround, but as long as I get to see the game live, I'm happy to do it. 

"When the game is on the west coast it makes it easier. You can fly in and you're there and you don't have to get another long flight. 

"The last three have been on the west coast, which has helped me a lot." 

Zahra said he's been a follower of American Football from a young age. 

"I love the strategy and I guess it's a little out for me from racing," Zahra said. 

"I love Monday's, setting up camp and watching all the games and the Super Bowl is the pinnacle to finish off the year." 

Zahra rides Pericles for Godolphin and James Cummings in Saturday's race. 

Pericles, who ran in both Victoria and Australian Derbies as a three-year-old, is having his first start since finishing second to Japanese visitor Obamburumai in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill last November. 

"I'm on Pericles and he's got to be some sort of chance in the race," Zahra said. 

For the record, Zahra believes the Kansas City Chiefs will defeat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. 

 


Racing and Sports

Caulfield

Saturday, 10th February 2024

9
16:55
(local)

Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes (G1)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
AUD $752,000
1400m TURF GOOD
9
16:55
(local)
AUD $752,000
1400m GOOD

Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes (G1)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 1. MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) 6yo G
BULLBARS (AUS) - LILAHJAY (NZ)
CRAIG WILLIAMS
BEN, WILL & JD HAYES
$1.95
59kg
Lindsay Park Bloodstock (Mgr: Mrs S Steel), Green Shorts Racing (A Visalli), K Paisley, Mrs C Paisley, B Carson, M Andreadis, J Molinaro, Ms A Molinaro, Ms J Evans, D Hollyman, S Horn, R Jarvis, G Kerr, D Lee, R White, D Cavallo, The Fighting Cowboys (A Pettiona), P Presti, L Presti & T Hunter

Sales Information

2nd 8. PRIDE OF JENNI (AUS) 6yo M
PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS) - SANCERRE (NZ)
DECLAN BATES
CIARON MAHER
$9
57kg
A Ottobre, Mrs L Ottobre & M Ottobre

Sales Information

3rd 5. BUFFALO RIVER (USA) 8yo G
NOBLE MISSION (GB) - FASHION INSIDER (USA)
CELINE GAUDRAY
MICHAEL MORONEY
$61
59kg
Ballymore Stables (Aust) P/L, R&C Legh Racing P/L, Gee Gee Equine Ltd, Ms A Bergin, Dr A & B Pang, Halo Racing Services P/L (Mgr: C McKenna), Dr C & S Cowan, Mrs R & F Cain, Top Tier Racing, GJDM Racing Syndicate, Vermont Racing Club 2, M King, Gurners Bloodstock, D & Mrs S Kenle, Ms S Ng & Ms X Wu

Sales Information

4th 9. VEIGHT (AUS) 3yo C
GRUNT (NZ) - NEENA ROCK (AUS)
DAMIAN LANE
T & C MCEVOY
$6
55.5kg

Sales Information

5th 6. AYRTON (NZ) 6yo G
IFFRAAJ (GB) - ODESSA (NZ)
JAMIE KAH
MICK PRICE & MICHAEL KENT JNR
$19
59kg

Sales Information

6th 2. PERICLES (AUS) 4yo G
STREET BOSS (USA) - ACCESSORIES (GB)
MARK ZAHRA
JAMES CUMMINGS
$6.5
59kg
7th 3. MUNHAMEK (GB) 8yo G
DARK ANGEL (IRE) - CADENZA (FR)
BLAKE SHINN
NICK RYAN
$21
59kg

Sales Information

8th 7. ATISHU (NZ) 6yo M
SAVABEEL (AUS) - POSY (NZ)
MICHAEL DEE
CHRIS WALLER
$12
57kg

Sales Information

9th 4. BUSTLER (AUS) 4yo G
PLAYING GOD (AUS) - COSMAH DOMINATION (AUS)
STEVEN PARNHAM
NEVILLE PARNHAM
$26
59kg

Sales Information

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