Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra recorded a long overdue Melbourne Cup week win
The victory of Prezado has given training partners Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra a long overdue Melbourne Cup week win.
Zahra said it had been 10 years since the pair were last successful during Flemington’s biggest week of the year.
“It shows you how hard it is,” Zahra said after Tuesday’s win in the Schweppes Flemington Fling.
“We’ve had plenty of runners over the years and plenty of seconds but we just haven’t been to get the win on the board.
“Luckily we had the right horse today.”
Ridden by Chris Symons, Prezado ($20) scored by 1-1/4 lengths from Bandipur ($8.50) with William Thomas ($13) 2-1/4 lengths away third.
Zahra said there had been interest in Prezado from Hong Kong after his last-start placing at Echuca.
“We’ve had Hong Kong knocking on the door lately, maybe they’ll knock a little harder now,” Zahra said.
Symons, who has been mixing race riding with interviews for broadcaster Channel 7, said there was a solemn mood in the jockeys room following Joao Moreira’s fall in the previous race.
He said it put a dampener on the day until the jockeys in the room found out he was OK.
“And then when they found out there was a ride going, they all jumped in the sauna,” Symons said.
“Unfortunately I’ve got no hope of riding that weight (52kg).”
