Mark Zahra will miss Saturday’s Cox Plate at Flemington on medical advice after his Caulfield Cup fall, with John Allen taking the ride on Ciaron Maher’s Middle Earth.
The late jockey change was made moments before Tuesday night’s barrier draw, 7NEWS reported. Zahra had been booked for the six-year-old gelding earlier in the week, but received medical advice that he should not ride this weekend.
Zahra was hospitalised after Half Yours fell near the end of the Caulfield Cup last Saturday. He was cleared of serious injury, although he said he pulled up “very stiff and sore”.
The two-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey will be out of action for the rest of the week and is expected to return to trackwork on Monday, Yahoo Sport Australia reported. He is scheduled to ride Next Episode in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes the following Saturday.
Allen chases a second Cox Plate
Allen arrives in top form after winning the Caulfield Cup on Kingswood for trainer Gavin Bedggood. He has also won the Cox Plate before, on State Of Rest in 2021.
Read more: Kingswood Wins Caulfield Cup 2026 for Gavin Bedggood and John Allen
Middle Earth drew barrier 7 for Allen and carries 59kg, Racing.com confirmed. He is one of four Maher runners in the race, alongside Saint George (Blake Shinn), Land Legend (Ethan Brown) and Light Infantry Man (Harry Coffey), and backs up from the Caulfield Cup.
Jockeys cleared over Caulfield Cup fall
On Tuesday, Racing Victoria stewards completed their inquiry into the fall, which resulted in the death of Chris Waller’s mare Ohope Wins. Stewards found they “could not attribute the incident to the careless actions of any one particular rider”.
Read more: Caulfield Cup Fall: Stewards Clear All Jockeys Over Ohope Wins Death
Half Yours, last year’s Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner, escaped with lacerations, but his trainers have said he is unlikely to defend his title.
Cox Plate at Flemington
The $6 million Cox Plate (2040m) will be run at Flemington on Saturday 24 October, with Moonee Valley closed for redevelopment. Aeliana (barrier 10) and Sir Delius (barrier 5) shared favouritism after the draw, with Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas winner Warwoven (barrier 2) close behind, according to 7NEWS.
More News
- Cox Plate 2026 Final Field: Saint George Among 12 Accepted
- Caulfield Cup Fall: Stewards Clear All Jockeys Over Ohope Wins Death
- Kingswood Wins Caulfield Cup 2026 for Gavin Bedggood and John Allen
- Half Yours Unlikely for Melbourne Cup After Caulfield Cup Fall
- Geelong Cup 2026 Field and Barriers: Vauban Tops the Weights
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