Zahra links with Al Riffa in bid for third Melbourne Cup – The Straight

Mark Zahra has been confirmed as the jockey for Melbourne Cup topweight Al Riffa.

Al Riffa, trained in Ireland by Joseph O’Brien, will carry 59kg in the $10 million race for which he is now favourite after the withdrawal of Sir Delius.

Zahra will be chasing a third Melbourne Cup triumph after winning on Gold Trip in 2022 and Without A Fight in 2023.

A son of Wootton Bassett, Al Riffa underlined his Melbourne Cup credentials in winning the Irish St Leger in September.

Syndicator Australia Bloodstock, who has celebrated Melbourne Cup success with Protectionist (2014) and Gold Trip, purchased Al Riffa after the stayer’s emphatic win in the Group 2 Curragh Cup in July.