Redemption for jockey Mark Zahra as he guides Gold Trip to Melbourne Cup glory

At last year’s Melbourne Cup, jockey Mark Zahra was drowning his sorrows at home as he watched his supposed mount, Verry Elleegant, romp to victory.

A Covid-19 breach had led to a three-month suspension and he feared his shot at the race that stops a nation had gone for good.

But 12 months on, the 40-year timed his run to perfection to take the win on board Gold Trip trained by Britain’s David Eustace and Australian Ciaron Maher.

“This time last year, I was in Byron Bay and I was getting told off for drinking too much,” said Zahra following the win, “Because it could have been my ride.

“Twelve months ago, I felt terrible and I was drinking my way out of it and my wife as saying ‘don’t drink too much’. I said, ‘what do you want me to do? My horse just won the Melbourne Cup’.

“For today to come… it is just unbelievable. It is redemption day today, it is a miracle. I feel like crying…what a day.”

Zahra looked to have gone too early when he took the lead on the 18-1 shot with 300metres to go.

Pre-race favourite, the British-based and trained Deauville Legend, briefly threatened to live up to its tag but faded at the death for fourth place.

Instead, Gold Trip’s closest challenge came from Emissary, who took second ahead of stablemate High Emocean.

The build-up to the race was not without controversy, however, after a protester poured 100 litres of an unknown fluid on the track.

An individual, describing themselves as a “problem gambler”, took responsibility for the incident and the track was deemed fit for racing despite the incident.