Mark Zahra avoids sugar and alcohol to ride Estriella at 55kg in Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes

Mark Zahra can’t remember when he last rode at 55kg but was prepared to make a few sacrifices in order to ride Estriella in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes.

Punters should take note when big-race jockey Mark Zahra does the hard yards to make a light weight.

Zahra has worked to shed weight to ride in-form three-year-old Estriella in Saturday’s Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Estriella has 54.5kg in the Sangster Stakes but Zahra has permission to ride the filly at 55kg.

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Zahra said he could not remember riding at 55kg for more than three years.

“Maybe the last time I rode 55(kg) would have been for Verry Elleegant in the Caulfield Cup when I won on her,” the Melbourne Cup-winning rider said.

Zahra said he would have ridden Estriella at her correct weight in the Sangster Stakes in nearly any other year but the weight-for-age scale, which changes monthly, was against him this year.

Estriella will be ridden by Mark Zahra in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

“I thought she had 55(kg) but that’s what they usually carried but because the race is in April this year, it changes to 54.5(kg),” he said.

Zahra said he had enough notice to complete the work required to get down to 55kg, which ensured he would achieve the task while remaining physically strong.

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“I just have to do it really well,” Zahra said.

“The last two weeks, I’ve worked on it.

“I just had to be really healthy.

“No sugar, no alcohol and consistent exercise and just being really strict.

“If I’m going to ride that weight and feel good, that’s what I have to do, but I think she’s worth it.”

TAB bookmakers suggested Zahra’s effort would pay off in the Sangster Stakes, posting Estriella as the $3 favourite ahead of her stablemate I Am Me at $5.50.

Originally published as Mark Zahra avoids sugar and alcohol to ride Estriella at 55kg in Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes