Mark Zahra will be back in action at Flemington this Saturday and the gun jockey on Wednesday warmed up for his return aboard the horse who could be his star steer in 2026.
Melbourne’s leading rider reunited with glamour colt Tentyris in an 800m jumpout at Mornington.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained three-year-old finished fourth, beaten about 2-1/2 lengths by stablemate Tropicus, but was more importantly well-behaved before and during the trial, which was the morning’s objective.
“It was more important this morning about his barrier (manners) – obviously his last run he got scratched out of Champions Sprint when he reared up and went into the stall next door – but his barrier manners were perfect,” Zahra told SENTrack.
“(With) no blinkers on, he was there just having a nice time and trialled really good, actually.
“To the line he was smoking up right behind him, so I couldn’t have been happier with him.”
Tentyris was last seen publicly on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but he was denied the chance to compete that day after being a late scratching at the gates.
Seven days earlier the son of Street Boss was an explosive winner of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at the same track.
His first Group 1 assignment in 2026 is expected to be the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 14.
Wednesday’s jumpout whet Zahra’s appetite for the carnival to come with the jockey not having ridden in a race since Zipping Classic meeting at Sandown on November 29.
Despite his absence from the track, the 43-year-old still holds a commanding lead in the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership on 36 wins, 11 clear of nearest rival Craig Williamson.
Zahra has four rides at Flemington, headlined by Aviatress in the day’s feature, the $200,000 Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m).
That David and Chantelle Jolly-trained mare will carry 58kg, the lightest weight of any of Zahra’s rides at Flemington.
His first ride back will be the Ciaron Maher-trained Jenni Gone Bonkers in the opening event, while he will also partner her stablemate Military Tycoon and the Nick Ryan-trained Suntora in races three and four.
Zahra spent most of his holidays away from Melbourne, but is set to be a regular in Victoria in coming weeks and is not pursuing rides at Saturday week’s rich Magic Millions Raceday on the Gold Coast.
“I haven’t got much Gold Coast…I spoke to my management crew and there’s nothing really I could pick up,” he said.
“I used to go to the Gold Coast and just pick up a few rides just so I can go up there and enjoy myself around the Gold Coast for a weekend, but after five weeks up that area I’ve probably seen enough.
“So, I reckon I’ll stay in Melbourne and focus on getting the eye in and weight down and having a crack down here for the next couple of weeks.”
