Jockey Mark Zahra is confident that the burden assigned to Tentyris won’t prevent the colt from securing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
The colt Tentyris would have to match the weight-carrying feat of Ajax from 1938 to claim the Group 1 1200m handicap at Flemington this Saturday.
At 57kg, it’s identical to what Fastnet Rock shouldered as a three-year-old when finishing runner-up to Alinghi in the 2005 Newmarket following triumphs in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes and the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate.
After a triumphant spring season featuring the Coolmore Stud Stakes at the same track and distance during Melbourne Cup week, Tentyris claimed victory in the Lightning Stakes on February 14.
“I don’t think weight has got much to do with it as I’m a heavy weight jockey,” Zahra said.
“All the rating’s gurus might think a bit different, but I worked him Monday and he absolutely flew.
“He’s flying, so I don’t think the weight will stop him.”
Zahra enjoyed a strong comeback to the saddle at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday following a break due to injury.
He tested his physical limits aware of two top-class three-year-olds set to compete in the autumn carnival.
Although Zahra missed Observer’s success in the Australian Guineas last week due to timing, he was determined to return for Tentyris‘ challenge in the Newmarket.
“If it had of been any other time, I probably would have taken my time with it, but I just couldn’t afford to,” Zahra said.
“The horses I had lined up for autumn, was unbelievable.
“I was trying to get back for Observer, but the doctor said that was five weeks and that might be pushing it a bit, but when you have a goal, for a horse like this, it definitely helps getting up early, getting to physio twice a week and that sort of stuff.”
Zahra endured a ‘v’ fracture near the top of his tibia, which fortunately spared his knee’s anterior cruciate ligament.
“They said you don’t break that bone without doing the ACL, so that was one good thing, I suppose,” Zahra said.
“I was non-weight bearing for 10 days and after that I was straight back into it, but I was doing some rehab when I was on crutches.
“The surgeon said you will know when you’ve done too much, it will swell up and be sore. I pushed it to the limit most of the way, and it’s absolutely fine now.”
Zahra has partnered Tentyris in five of his eight outings, encompassing two of his three victories on Flemington’s straight course.
He noted that Flemington aligns well with Tentyris’ running style after he and trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman figured it out.
“If you get his first half of the race right and he’s happy, you can see he pins his ears back and lets fly,” Zahra said.
“The straight really suits him. You don’t have to chase to keep in touch and when you do that, it takes his finish away.
“He’s a funny horse, he doesn’t want to go early, but the further he goes, he knows, and halfway through he will start to bridle up and then by the 300 (metres), if he’s on song, you’re skiing off him and he’s ready to let rip.
“He’s a beast.”
Explore the Australian betting sites for the best Newmarket Handicap odds this weekend.