Racing
Zahra impressed with Cup mount Al Riffa
Mark Zahra has partnered his Melbourne Cup mount Al Riffa in trackwork at Werribee while Buckaroo has been confirmed as a Cup starter.
Mark Zahra is already a two-time Melbourne Cup winner and was suitably impressed with his latest ride Al Riffa after sitting on the stayer for the first time at Werribee.
Zahra headed to the Werribee quarantine centre on Wednesday to ride Al Riffa in preparation for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.
Al Riffa carries the Australian Bloodstock colours which Zahra wore to victory aboard Gold Trip in 2022 while the jockey won the Melbourne Cup the following year aboard Without A Fight.
"I dare say if they didn't own it, I would be on the horse," Zahra said.
"It's good to have a bit of success with past Melbourne Cup winners and I'm very thankful to have the ride."
Zahra said Al Riffa gave him a great first impression and does not think the 59kg the entire has been asked to carry will be any great imposition.
"He's a big strong horse and the 59 (kilos) is no problem, but giving the weight away is a problem," Zahra said.
"I have no problems at all about him carrying that sort of weight.
"It's hard having not ridden him in a race to compare him to Gold Trip, but he's a bit bigger, a stronger horse and I think he's got all the class that Gold Trip had."
Trainer Joseph O'Brien is chasing a third victory in the Melbourne Cup having won with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020).
Zahra said those travelling with Al Riffa had told him the stayer was the best performed horse O'Brien had brought out for the Cup.
He said in making the trip to Werribee, the first thing he wanted to see from Al Riffa was that the horse was quiet and relaxed, something that pleased Zahra.
"He was, very relaxed, which you need for a Melbourne Cup horse as they have to run the two miles," Zahra said.
"I know it's different from race day, but his action was beautiful and in the straight when he needed to pick up, he picked up straight away.
"You're hoping for a good feel, and that's what he gave me."
In other Melbourne Cup news, Craig Williams will ride the Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo after it was confirmed the Cox Plate runner-up will head to the race.
Williams had also been linked with another Waller-trained stayer Birdman in the Melbourne Cup following the withdrawal of Sir Delius.
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