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Mark Zahra has picked up the ride on the triple G1 winner Santa Ana Lane in the VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington on Saturday.

Trainer Anthony Freedman required a new rider after Santa Ana Lane's regular jockey Ben Melham was suspended at Flemington last Saturday for breaching the whip rules aboard Victoria Derby runnerup Stars Of Carrum.

Santa Ana Lane will be joined by his fellow triple G1-winning stablemate Shoals, who will be ridden by Tim Clark.

Santa Ana Lane and Shoals will be having their first starts since they contested The Everest at Randwick on October 13.

The Sprint Classic will be a fitting finale to Melbourne Cup week with the crack field drawing the likes of last year’s winner and dual Everest victor Redzel, Manikato Stakes winner Brave Smash, dual Newmarket Handicap winner Redkirk Warrior, Pierata, Osborne Bulls, In Her Time and the international sprinters Jungle Cat, U S Navy Flag, Spirit Of Valor, Fleet Review and Intelligence Cross.