While aiming for different objectives this spring, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained geldings Planet Red and Sabaj might find themselves competing against each other during their preparation.
Both horses participated in their initial jumpouts of the current campaign at Cranbourne on Monday morning.
Sabaj secured third place, finishing just under two lengths behind Proved, without being pushed hard in its first hitout. Later in the morning, Planet Red finished second, approximately 2-1/2 lengths behind Spirit Of Wealth.
This was the most significant piece of work for both horses this campaign. They are both anticipated to resume in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 29, followed by the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) before heading to their main spring engagements in Sydney.
“I think they’re running in the hot Memsie,” Price said.
“With their rating, the calendar pushes you in that way. I think they’ll both kick off there because of their rating and the timing of it.
“They’re both nice horses and they’re both sort of Toorak Handicap horses.”
Assuming all proceeds as planned until the Toorak Handicap, scheduled for Caulfield on October 10, Planet Red is then slated to contest the Golden Eagle (1500m). This prestigious event will be run at Group 1 level for the first time this year.
Price and Kent achieved victory in the 2021 Golden Eagle with I’m Thunderstruck, who also claimed the Toorak Handicap. Price indicated that the $10 million event is too appealing to overlook for the gelding, who had previously finished runner-up in both the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and Australian Guineas earlier this season.
“His run in the Caulfield Guineas was very good, drawn a bad gate, and his run in the Australian Guineas was very good, drawn a bad gate, so we were forced to ride cold in both those races,” he commented regarding the son of Admire Mars.
“The Golden Eagle is a fast 1500. You need a horse with a pretty good turn of foot and, for $10m and four-year-olds, I think he’ll be in it.”
Sabaj’s target in Sydney is the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m), a race exclusively for five-year-olds, which will take place on November 7.
The son of Manhattan Rain has secured five wins from 12 starts. Although he hasn’t won in his three starts this year, he did achieve a fourth-place finish in both the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) and Australian Cup (2000m).
“He’s a nice horse and I think anywhere between a mile and 2000 (is suitable),” Price stated.
“I reckon the Five Diamonds for him, because he will be a five-year-old.
“It’s 1800, that’d be beautiful. That’ll be a nice race for him.”
You can find competitive betting markets for the Memsie Stakes at Australian betting sites.