{"id":477561,"date":"2025-10-30T21:39:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T22:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=477561"},"modified":"2025-10-30T23:18:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T23:18:20","slug":"jockeys-controversial-act-hangs-over-2m-melbourne-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=477561","title":{"rendered":"Jockey's controversial act hangs over $2m Melbourne race"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Brought<\/p>\n

There might be a short-priced favourite in this year's Victoria Derby<\/a>, but don't be fooled by the eye-catching last-start performance from Observer.<\/p>\n

The three-year-old was miles ahead of his competition in the Group 2 Vase at Moonee Valley but was eased down right before the line by jockey Mark Zahra, who was later fined for failing to fully ride out the $1.75 winner to the finishing post.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Champion trainer's Cup hopes skyrocket<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Forecast rain a twist for Melbourne Cup<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE: \ufeff<\/strong>Ultimate guide to 2025 Melbourne Cup<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The colt has been confirmed to back up for the Derby over 2500m and the Godolphin runner will again start at the short odds of $2.15 with bookmakers TAB.<\/p>\n

However, according to racing expert David Gately, the danger in the race is the Chris Waller-trained Providence, who bolted home for second last weekend and could take out the Derby at a much nicer price for punters at $6.50 at the time of publishing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While he believes Observer is a deserved favourite, Gately is leaning towards his rival. \ufeff<\/p>\n

"He [Observer] exploded when they put the foot down, he put five lengths on them in the blink of an eye," he said on Wide World of Sports Victoria Derby preview.<\/p>\n

"Providence was excellent though in that same race. I know Observer was eased down and it might have been flattering a bit to the eye, but geez he was powering and on times and measures, he was running home quicker than good, older horses on the day.<\/p>\n

"He gets to 2500m and I can't believe the price differential on TAB. I'm gonna lean to Providence at the price \u2026 I think it's a great bet."<\/p>\n

Watch the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival live and free on Nine and<\/strong><\/em> 9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The time-honoured Derby is one of three Group 1 races at Flemington on Saturday, with the barrier draw for the Melbourne Cup to take place immediately following the card.<\/p>\n

In the other Group 1 races on the day, Gately is backing Idle Flyer to win in the \ufeffEmpire Rose Stakes over 1600m and Beiwacht to claim the Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Here's every runner competing in the Derby. Odds courtesy of TAB.<\/p>\n

\ufeff1. Observer (4)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Ciaron Maher<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Mark Zahra<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 6: 2-2-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $2.10 \/ $1.26<\/p>\n

2. \ufeffHighvol (15)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Nick Ryan<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Jamie Mott<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 7: 2-1-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $23 \/ $5<\/p>\n

3. Autumn Mystery (17)\ufeff<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Rory Hunter<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Blake Shinn<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 9: 2-2-2<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $9 \/ $2.70<\/p>\n

4. \ufeffMiewa (8)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Nick Ryan<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Jordan Childs<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 7: 1-2-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $19 \/ $4.60<\/p>\n

5. \ufeffOptions (7)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer:<\/strong> Tony & Calvin McEvoy\ufeff<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Harry Coffer<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 5: 3-0-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $15 \/ $3.90<\/p>\n

6. \ufeffProvidence (12)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Chris Waller<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Craig Williams<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 8: 0-1-2<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $6.50 \/ $2.20<\/p>\n

7. \ufeffAzazel (10)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Mark Walker<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Michael Dee<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 3: 2-0-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $23 \/ $5<\/p>\n

8. \ufeffArcora (11)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: T Busuttin & N Young<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: John Allen<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 8: 1-2-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $41 \/ $9<\/p>\n

9. \ufeffO'Sheamus (5)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: J O'Shea & T Charlton<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Kerrin McEvoy<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 5: 1-0-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $18 \/ $4.40<\/p>\n

10. \ufeffAmazake (6)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Ciaron Maher<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Declan Bates<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 5-0-1-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $41 \/ $9<\/p>\n

11. Engine Of War (\ufeff9)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: M Price & M Kent Jr<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Tommy Berry<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 4-1-1-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $19 \/ $4.60<\/p>\n

12. \ufeffMatsuda (19)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Ciaron Maher<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Thomas Stockdale<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 5: 1-1-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $51 \/ $11<\/p>\n

13. \ufeffOne Step Closer (2)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: J O'Shea & T Charlton<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Jye McNeil<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 6: 1-0-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $41 \/ $9<\/p>\n

14. \ufeffSavisanta (3)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Chris Waller<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Ben Melham<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 4-0-3-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $23 \/ $5<\/p>\n

15. \ufeffMcWoody (16)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Mark Walker<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Jamie Melham<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 2-1-0-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $61 \/ $13<\/p>\n

16. \ufeffDeal Done Fast (1)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Daniel Stackhouse<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Matthew Cumani<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 3: 0-1-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $41 \/ $9<\/p>\n

17. \ufeffArabian Prince (20)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Michael Kent<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Craig Williams<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 3: 0-0-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $19 \/ $5<\/p>\n

18. Freddie Bassett (\ufeff14)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Annabel & Rob Archibald<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: Ben Allen<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 5: 0-2-0<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $61 \/ $12<\/p>\n

19. \ufeffCrack A Deel (13)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Henry Dwyer<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: N\/A<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 6: 1-0-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $151 \/ $26<\/p>\n

20. \ufeffSuper Paradise (18)<\/h3>\n

Weight<\/strong>: 57kg<\/p>\n

Trainer<\/strong>: Andrew Forsman<\/p>\n

Jockey<\/strong>: N\/A<\/p>\n

Career<\/strong>: 6: 1-0-1<\/p>\n

Odds<\/strong>: $151 \/ $26<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There might be a short-priced favourite in this year's Victoria Derby, but don't be fooled by the eye-catching last-start performance from Observer. The three-year-old was […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":421423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477561"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=477561"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":477566,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477561\/revisions\/477566"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/421423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=477561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=477561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=477561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}