Mark Zahra remains unfazed by the weight given to Tentyris, believing the colt can still snag the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
Tentyris faces equalling Ajax’s legendary 1938 weight haul to prevail in the Group 1 1200m Flemington handicap on Saturday.
Carrying 57kg equates to Fastnet Rock’s three-year-old burden when he was beaten by Alinghi in the 2005 Newmarket, post-victories in Group 1 Lightning Stakes and Oakleigh Plate.
Tentyris, fresh off a strong spring highlighted by the Coolmore Stud Stakes on this track and trip during Melbourne Cup week, took the Lightning Stakes on February 14 upon return.
“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.”
After injury downtime, Zahra made a winning reappearance at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday.
He drove his rehabilitation hard, motivated by two outstanding three-year-olds in autumn contention.
Zahra couldn’t return soon enough for Observer’s Australian Guineas win last week, but targeted Tentyris‘ Newmarket attempt.
“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’s upper tibia featured a ‘v’ fracture, but ACL was unscathed luckily.
“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.”
Five of Tentyris‘ eight races have seen Zahra in the irons, including two Flemington straight wins from three overall.
Zahra explained how Flemington matches Tentyris’ approach after refinement by him and trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
“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.”
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