Mark Zahra has explained the surprise decision to jump off reigning Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip, with the jockey now set to ride talented galloper Without A Fight.
The 41-year-old rode the six-year-old to the feature event last November, earning his first Cup in the process, before also sitting in the saddle for his recent efforts in the Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate.
In the midst of his two rides on Gold Trip throughout the spring carnival, Zahra switched for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and managed to steer the Irish-bred gelding to an impressive victory.
With a major conundrum facing Zahra heading into the $7.5 million race at Flemington, the jockey has officially made the huge call to abandon the defending champion on the first Tuesday of November.
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Why isn't Mark Zahra riding Gold Trip in Melbourne Cup?
After being with the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace star for a large chunk of its career, Zahra explained that the recent call and the close nature behind it.
“I would have said the decision was 60/40 in Without A Fight’s favour,” he told RSN.
“Last year, I thought Gold Trip, all his runs were on soft tracks and he had a soft run in a Caulfield Cup and he ran second... he didn’t get out in a Cox Plate on a soft track and then went to the Melbourne Cup.
“I reckon it’s a different kettle of fish this year. He’s had two hard runs on firm tracks, he’ll get a firm track again, I believe anyway, on Cup Day and I think Without A Fight is a better ride.”
“It was hard because I’m very good friends with a couple of owners in the horse so I had to tell them first – and I was having dinner with Ciaron. They wanted to kill me and my mum, she loves Gold Trip, so she was flat as well.
“It was an extremely tough choice... there wasn’t a great deal between them.”
Without A Fight and Gold Trip are both rated among the favourites for the Cup, with the likes of Vauban and Soulcombe also in the mix.
Who is riding Gold Trip in Melbourne Cup?
With the absence of Zahra, it will be James McDonald who takes the ride for the Maher/Eustace stable in the hopes of claiming his second Cup as a jockey after winning in 2021 with Verry Elleegant.
When is the Melbourne Cup?
This year's Melbourne Cup meeting will be held on Tuesday, 7th November at Flemington Racecourse.
The main race will jump at approximately 3pm AEDT, with three other races to follow.