Zahra confirmed to ride Vadamos in Plate

Mark Zahra has been confirmed as the rider for French horse Vadamos in the Cox Plate with Joao Moreira grounded in Hong Kong because of a typhoon.

Jockeys Sam Clipperton and Moreira were barred from travelling to Melbourne this weekend amid Hong Kong stewards’ concerns the jockeys may not get back in time for Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting.

Zahra replaces Moreira on the Andre Fabre-trained horse in Saturday’s Cox Plate having also picked up the ride on English in Friday night’s Group One Manikato Stakes who was due to be ridden by Clipperton.

Vadamos is highly rated in Europe and goes into the Cox Plate as a $17 chance after winning a 1600m Group One race in France last month.