Mark Zahra has been able to put the disappointment of 12 months ago behind him with a masterful ride on Gold Trip to win the Melbourne Cup.
Suspension following his involvement in the infamous Airbnb saga during COVID lockdown last year led to Zahra missing the ride on Verry Elleegant which catapulted James McDonald into a national hero.
Zahra had ridden Verry Elleegant to win the Caulfield Cup the year before and had thought his opportunity at Melbourne Cup success may have eluded him.
But Ciaron Maher and David Eustace gave Zahra his chance aboard Gold Trip at Flemington on Tuesday and the jockey did not let the pair down.
Gold Trip ($21) raced to a two-length win from Emissary ($26) with Gold Emocean ($41) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
“This time last year in Byron Bay I think I was getting told off for drinking too much after Verry Elleegant won,” Zahra said.
“That could have been my ride, so redemption day is today. It’s just a miracle.
“I felt terrible, and I was probably drinking my way out of it and Elise (partner) was saying ‘don’t drink too much’, and I was saying what else do you want me to do, my horse just won the Melbourne Cup?
“I think about it all the time that I could have ridden her, so for it to come today and I’ve got good mates in the horse.
“And for Elise to be here, it’s unbelievable.”
Zahra partnered Gold Trip when second in the Caulfield Cup before Jamie Spencer was flown in to ride the entire in the Cox Plate when he finished ninth to Anamoe, without a lot of luck.
Zahra was questioning whether Gold Trip would run the journey, however Maher and Eustace did give the jockey a lot of confidence.
“They’re the best trainer of stayers,” Zahra said.
“That’s one thing I had confidence in, that they trained it.
“I was actually quite vocal that I didn’t think he’d get the trip and thankfully my good mate Jamie Spencer didn’t have much luck on him. It was probably just the perfect lead-up run.”
A Caulfield Cup winner before teaming with Eustace to claim a Cox Plate and now the Melbourne Cup, Maher said the team behind Gold Trip needed to be thanked for their efforts.
Gold Trip was one of five runners for the stable in Tuesday’s race – with stablemate High Emocean finishing third – and Maher said the success had not yet sunk in.
“Everyone’s had a lot to do with this horse,” Maher said.
“(Farrier) John Bunting, he’s had this horse in very good order all the way along.
“He’s quite dicey, this horse, and he’s done a fantastic job. He’s a great mate, great bloke and he’s very good at what he does.
“Dave and my brother (Declan), everyone, it’s just huge. Dave and I are lucky enough to stand up here and most of our staff are here today along with friends and family.
“It’s just fantastic.”
Eustace said since arriving in Australia in 2014 he did not imagine ever winning the race.
“Obviously you know the race, that it exists, a bit later in my life,” Eustace said.
“But ever since I’ve been here this is the race you want to be contesting and just getting the chance to do that, to win it, is quite extraordinary.”
What a race!GOLD TRIP wins the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup