Ibiza may usually be Mark Zahra’s destination of choice this time of year, but a Group 1 opportunity at Royal Ascot has prompted the star jockey to make a detour. Zahra will ride Docklands in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) on Tuesday before kicking off his European break.
Following his rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Zahra boarded a flight to the UK with one goal in mind — securing another Group 1 win to add to his impressive 35-strong tally. Despite going winless in Brisbane, the Australian rider was upbeat ahead of his Royal Ascot debut.
Docklands, owned by OTI, reunites with Zahra for the first time since their 12th-place finish in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) last December. Since then, the five-year-old has finished in the placings twice, including a third in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes on June 7 at Epsom.
“I’m happy with having the one ride – day one, race one then my holidays start,” Zahra said.
“I love Europe in the summer and I’ve actually been to Royal Ascot in the public to have fun.
“I’ve had a couple of opportunities but, to be honest, I’ve always been in Ibiza at the start of it so this time I planned it to go and take part in the race thanks to Harry Eustace and Terry Henderson.
“It gives me the opportunity to be there and ride in a group one. Then Ibiza will be after.”
Docklands boasts an impressive record at Ascot, never finishing outside the top three in five starts there. Zahra is confident the gelding is peaking at the right time for his Queen Anne assignment.
“This is a very good race,” he said. “It is a good horses race and I think he is going as good as he ever has with both runs coming in being really good.
“I spoke to Harry and Terry and they’ve sent me videos and he looks fantastic. I think he’s had five runs at Ascot and never been further back than third.
“That is his track and he ran second in the race last year.”
The straight mile layout at Ascot will be a new experience for Zahra, who has never ridden over that configuration before.
“I’ve never ridden a straight mile which is different for an Australian jockey,” Zahra said.
“It’ll be different, but it is a big beautiful track.”
Docklands is a $15 chance with online betting sites for Tuesday’s Group 1, with 2024 St James’s Palace Stakes (1600m) winner Rosallion rated the $3 favourite.
For the best odds and betting features ahead of Royal Ascot, visit the best betting sites Australia for trusted tips, offers, and promotions.
