Mark Zahra has provided an update on his Spring Carnival bookings and suspected rides ahead of the Caulfield Carnival which commences this Saturday with the Guineas.

Call Me Coach

Before Call Me Coach’s (nominated Caulfield Guineas horse) trackwork this morning , Zahra joined SEN Track and RSN’s Giddy Up to discuss the prospective Caulfield Guineas contender, having this to say about the talented three-year-old colt:

“He is a bit of the X Factor one coming through a different path of a Cranbourne maiden win but looks like he has a heap of ability,” Zahra said.

“We will see how he gallops this morning and whether we push on.

“I am really excited to see how he goes, I think he is a horse with a heap of potential.”

After the trackwork, trainer Sam Freedman joined Gareth to discuss the next direction for the colt.

“He worked well… I think we will probably accept with him (for the Caulfield Guineas) this morning for sure,” Freedman said.

“He is quite raw, he probably hasn’t had the perfect prep to get to a Guineas, but no doubt he has got the ability to be lining up.

“Just need to see him execute well and get on the right legs, handle a bit of pressure.

“He is up to the grade… just got to get it to work out Saturday.

“The Guineas is only here once… we think he has got as much talent as most of the three-year-olds.”

Half Yours

With Jamie Melham taking the ride on Blue Door in the TAB Everest next Saturday, Half Yours is set to be ridden by Zahra.

“Jamie’s (Melham) decided to have a go in Sydney, so I am happy to have a go on him (Half Yours),” he said.

Zahra expressed his excitement to ride the Cups double winner from 2025.

“You have to be (excited)… his run was pretty good the other day, so he’s got to be a live chance.

Hall asked Zahra if 57.5kgs was going to be an issue for Half Yours ahead of his bid to win second consecutive Caufield Cup.

“Look, it is right up there, but he’s good enough,” he said.

“He’s definitely got a good chance for sure.”

The Next Episode

Hall asked whether Zahra was surprised by the monstrous late run by The Next Episode to outdo talented three-year-old Natural Fling.

“His first trial, we were all scratching our heads a bit, but he got better each one and I had full faith in Ciaron having him right for the right day,” he said.

“So I thought he’d run well… I just had to see it race day and it was good to see him do that.”

Middle Earth

Will Middle Earth likely be Zahra's Melbourne Cup ride?

“I think so, it is looking that way,” he said.

“Ciaron has got one race picked for him for this spring.

“So, I like that set up when he’s got his eyes on the one big race.”