Since relocating from Tasmania to the Ciaron Maher stable on the mainland, apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone has seen his career trajectory ascend rapidly.
After securing his inaugural Stakes race win earlier this month, Johnstone added the Group 3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) to his accolades on Wednesday, guiding Ziryab to an impressive front-running triumph.
A ride in the prestigious Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday now awaits Johnstone aboard Kings Valley, and he is also booked for Mr Monaco in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Ziryab, the $5 second favourite, narrowly defeated the $3 market leader Darkbonee by a neck, with Sunset Park ($14) finishing a short-neck further back in third.
“I’m so grateful to Ciaron and the whole team,” Johnstone commented.
“I’ve been here around five months and to win two Group 3’s and have a Group 1 ride, it’s a real moment.
“And the way Kings Valley is going, he’s a real chance in the Caulfield Cup.”
Trainer Ciaron Maher lauded Johnstone’s handling of Ziryab, an English-bred gelding by Kingman, who notched his second consecutive victory following a win at Mornington last month.
Maher had instructed Johnstone to maintain a steady tempo on the gelding, a directive the apprentice followed precisely.
“His best asset is his sectionals,” Maher remarked. “I was a little bit worried around the top that he had backed it off a little too much, but he did pick it up early.
“The horse has a crack, and he showed that last start and again today.
“Jabez is going well and it’s good to see him win another good race after he won The Bart Cummings for us and now, he’s won a Coongy.
“Hopefully he can keep it rolling into a Caulfield Cup as he’s certainly got a live chance.”
Ziryab has experienced fluctuating fortunes since his arrival from the UK, despite a winning debut in Australia at Cranbourne.
The gelding secured third place in the Warrnambool Cup last year but struggled to replicate that form, spending a period in Tasmania during the Summer Carnival earlier in the year.
“The owners have had to be patient,” Maher stated. “There have been a few preparations where they were like ‘what are you doing’, but he’s furnished now and you can see that he’s happy.”
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