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<\/p>\nA JOCKEY hit with an astronomical fine after winning one of the world's richest races looked like he couldn't care less as he celebrated with Champagne hours after victory.<\/p>\n
Mark Zahra also picked up a big ban for his ride on Caulfield Cup hero Without A Fight.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The jockey, 41, produced an absolute thriller in the 1m4f Group 1 worth \u00a31.7million to the winner on Saturday.<\/p>\n
But stewards noticed Zahra used the whip too many times and had no choice but to fine him a whopping \u00a326,000.<\/p>\n
He was also given a seven-meeting suspension which runs out on November 3 – four days before the Melbourne Cup.<\/p>\n
Zahra won around \u00a3170,000 for his down-the-outside run on 15-2 Without A Fight in one of Australia's biggest races at Caulfield.<\/p>\n
British father and son trainer duo Simon and Ed Crisford were second on West Wind Blows, ridden by Jamie Spencer.<\/p>\n
The Irish jockey stayed within whip rules and lost by a head.<\/p>\n
Some punters felt it was unfair Zahra was allowed to keep the race after breaking rules – and a few demanded he be stripped of the mega-money winner.<\/p>\n
One said: "Should take the win off him and the trainer."<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n While another wrote: "I don\u2019t get this, he cheated but still gets the win? Shouldn\u2019t it be stripped?"<\/p>\n Despite being stung in the pocket, Zahra let the celebrations hit full flow and was partying with Champagne a few hours later.<\/p>\n Tote: Bet \u00a35 Get \u00a320 in Free Bets<\/strong> – CLAIM HERE<\/strong><\/p>\n Virgin Bet: Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a320 in free bets – CLAIM HERE<\/strong><\/p>\n Betfair<\/strong>: Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a330 in Free Bets<\/strong> – CLAIM HERE<\/strong><\/p>\n Paddy Power: Bet \u00a320 and get it back as Cash if it Loses<\/strong> – CLAIM HERE<\/strong><\/p>\n Sky Bet: Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a330 in Free Horse Racing Bets<\/strong> <\/strong>– CLAIM HERE<\/strong><\/p>\n Tote: New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of \u00a35 and win or lose you will receive \u00a320 Tote Credit. \u00a320 Tote Credit rewarded as \u00a310 redeemable against racing bets only and \u00a310 redeemable against UK and Irish placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org<\/u><\/p>\n Virgin Bet: New members. \u00a310 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E\/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable \u00a310 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E\/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+ begambleaware.org<\/u><\/p>\n Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min \u00a310 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1\/2 (1.5), get \u00a330 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org<\/p>\n Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is \u00a320. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a \u00a310 free bet when you place 5x bets of \u00a310+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org<\/p>\n Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E\/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1\/1 OR GREATER. 3 X \u00a310 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org<\/p>\n The jockey posted a photo of himself with a bottle of \u00a390 Ruinart and wrote alongside the snap: "How sweet it is."<\/p>\n Zahra's wife Elyse didn't let the fine bother her either, as she stole the show in the post-race interview.<\/p>\n She said she had gone through hell during the week after the horse Zahra was originally meant to ride, Gold Trip, was dramatically declared late on despite the understanding he would miss the race.<\/p>\n Zahra said seeing Gold Trip, the horse he won last year's Melbourne Cup on, run with another jockey on his back was like 'someone stealing your missus'.<\/p>\n There was further drama after a late vet test cast doubt on whether Without A Fight could run, with the horse ultimately declared fit.<\/p>\n A frantic Elyse said after her man's win: "You know, my husband said, 'if you have a bad dream you say it out loud and if you have a good dream you don\u2019t say it'.<\/p>\n "I only told him part of my good dream, and that was that we drew barrier seven, and we drew barrier seven.<\/p>\n "The second part of my good dream was that we f**king won. I\u2019m sorry, I cussed!<\/p>\n "I have lost ten years of my life because not only did we deal with the Gold Trip stuff, then we dealt with Without A Fight not running\u2026<\/p>\n "I already wasn\u2019t speaking to him this week and all I said was are you OK? Are you OK? That\u2019s all I said to him."<\/p>\n A responsible gambler is someone who:<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Arsenal-transfer-news-13-1.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/picture>RACE IS ON <\/span><\/p>\nITV confirm brand new Drive To Survive-style show focused on jumps racing<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TB-COMBO_FIVER_MON.jpg\")
<\/picture>FIVER FLUTTER <\/span><\/p>\nThis 25-1 roughie has tumbled down the weights and excels at this trip<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TB-COMBO_TEMPLEGATE-TIPS-MON-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>TEMPLEGATE’S TIPS <\/span><\/p>\nMy 7-1 NAP looks a great bet on this track off a lenient mark<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TB-COMBO_FIVER_SUN.jpg\")
<\/picture>FIVER FLUTTER <\/span><\/p>\nThis horse was decent on the Flat and makes hurdles debut for Gary Moore<\/h3>\n
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