Mark Zahra believes he’s never headed into Melbourne Cup week with a stronger set of rides.

The in-form jockey partners favourite Observer in the Victoria Derby (2500m), second elect Tentyris in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), and Leica Lucy in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

He also rides top chances Getta Good Feeling in the Wakeful Stakes and Vinrock in the Carbine Club Stakes.

“I’ve got three good chances in the Group 1’s,” Zahra said. “I’d be happy with one and even happier with anything above that.”

Zahra is especially excited about Tentyris, a colt he says is “coming good at the right time.”

“You have to ride him cold, and the punters will have their hearts in their mouth… but you watch his turn of foot late,” he said.

After a comfortable win on Observer at Moonee Valley, Zahra was fined for easing down early but said he was saving the colt for Derby Day.

Leica Lucy, wearing a one-eyed blinker, rounds out what Zahra calls a “loaded” Derby Day lineup.