Zahra sidelined again: star jockey to miss T.J. Smith Stakes ride on Tentyris
Star Jockey Mark Zahra is set for another stint on the sidelines, including missing the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes ride aboard star colt Tentyris, after being hit with a second suspension in just three days at Caulfield on Saturday.
Zahra received a seven-meeting ban for breaching whip rules aboard race five winner Meridius, ruling him out until April 7. The suspension follows a careless riding ban incurred at Caulfield Heath last Wednesday.
That earlier suspension runs from March 26 to March 31, with the latest penalty beginning immediately after on April 1 and extending through to April 7.
The timing sidelines Zahra for the $3 million T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 4, where Tentyris is among the leading chances.
It caps a frustrating few weeks for Zahra, who only recently returned from a fractured tibia that forced him to miss the early part of the autumn carnival.
He will now also miss Australian Cup day at Flemington on March 28 and the opening day of The Championships at Randwick.
In addition to the suspension, Zahra was fined $700 for his whip rule breach on Meridius in the Manhari Handicap (1200m).
