Mark Zahra has had his first sit aboard Charm Stone ahead of the filly’s return at Sandown.
Entered for the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) on Saturday, Charm Stone is likely to be saved for the Group 2 fillies division of the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Sandown on Saturday week.
Zahra will be the third jockey to partner Charm Stone in her three-start career with Jamie Kah aboard when a debut third at Flemington on October 1 before Damian Lane took over when the filly was successful in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) on November 3.
With Lane heading to the Saudia Arabia Cup meeting on Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes Day, February 25, connections were in search for another jockey.
Zahra, who won last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes aboard Godolphin galloper Daumier for Anthony and Sam Freedman, took the chance to partner the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Charm Stone at Sandown on Tuesday morning.
“That’s my that’s my first sit on her and she was good,” Zahra said.
“I’m not sure whether she’s running this week, or they’re holding her back a week. They may even bring her back for another gallop here next Tuesday.
“It’s a beautiful surface and I was impressed with what I felt for sure.”
Fellow jockey Ben Melham also ventured to Sandown to partner Extremely Wicked for Mornington trainer Matt Laurie.
Extremely Wicked, a debut second to Croatian Belle at Moonee Valley on New Year’s Eve, is also among entries for the Chairman’s Stakes.
“She went nicely although she was a little keen,” Melham said.
However, Melham is set to ride Zulfigar for Godolphin and James Cummings.
Not a regular rider for the Godolphin team, Melham did win the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot for Godolphin and Cummings aboard Paulele last month and has been riding a little more for the stable recently.
“I haven’t been on him yet, but I’ve watched his trials and he look to trial quite nicely in blinkers,” Melham said.
“I hadn’t ridden for them a lot, but it has picked up since I won the Group 1 over in Perth for them.
“You must take these opportunities when they come as there’s so many good jockeys here now.”
