'What a day': Mark Zahra produces 'unbelievable' display at with Derby, Coolmore triumphs
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Mark Zahra has won the Victorian Derby on Observer, leading effectively from start to finish in a dominant display in the $2 million classic.
It has been the 43-year-old's day at Flemington, with his triumph in the feature his fourth-straight win at the famous track.
Observer never looked in doubt in the Derby and had few rivals over the 2500m.
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The fast-finishing Arcora ran second at a big price, with Deal Done First third.
"What a day, unbelievable," Zahra told Nine's Billy Slater after the Derby win.
Mark Zahra Getty
"Riding for the best trainers, the best horses ... what a great day.
"I wasn't sure whether to lead on him or not, but speaking to Ciaron gave me great confidence, he was like 'if you want to lead just lead, whatever you feel'.
"He's tough and strong and races like his old man. Late when they got to me he found it again, it was a very good victory."
Less than an hour prior, Zahra also claimed the $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes on Tentyris in the first of three Group 1s on the card.
Race caller Matt Hill said the three-year-old colt "exploded" past the pack as he ran away from the field to win comfortably on Saturday afternoon.
Zahra sat in behind them and found a perfect gap before unleashing to claim the stallion-making race.
He won from My Gladiola in second and Legacy Bound in third.
Tentyris ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Racing Photos via Getty Images
"I chose (Tentyris) out of a few horses," he told Nine's Billy Slater post-race.
"They just had him absolutely on the ball for today and it's just so good when it all pays off. His work on Tuesday was unbelievable and Sam Freedman said 'he might do something special today' and I said 'just take it easy' ... but he was right."
It was a near-perfect day for Zahra, winning with Getta Good Feeling in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes and Warnie in the G2 Damien Oliver.
