Sabaj faces a notably different challenge in his second appearance during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-prepared galloper achieved success earlier in the week, securing a Listed race victory over 1800 metres at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
On Saturday, Sabaj returns to Flemington for the Champions Stakes (2000m), where he will encounter the principal contenders from the Cox Plate, which was contested at Flemington two weeks prior.
This marks the gelding’s second foray over the 2000-metre distance, having previously finished fourth behind Light Infantry Man in the Australian Cup earlier this year.
Price indicated that the increased distance should be manageable for Sabaj, though he acknowledged it’s a distinct race from his Tuesday win.
“He should run well, but I would be surprised if he was to stand up and win,” Price stated.
“But I think sometimes you back them up through this Carnival, and they seem to run well.”
“It’s not like he’s second-up or anything. He’s conditioned up, he had a good 1800-metre hit-out the other day.”
“He went to the beach on Wednesday, was on the treadmill on Thursday, had a trot and canter on Friday, and then race day on Saturday and his best run was in the Australian Cup over 2000 metres.”
Sabaj achieved a win on a similar program last year, taking out a 1600m benchmark 84 on a soft track before going on to claim the Cranbourne Cup.
Current forecasts predict similar conditions for Saturday, with cold and wet weather expected, although Price expressed a preference for less rain.
“I don’t want to make it too much of a grind for him,” Price commented.
“He’s had two 1400-metre runs, a mile, an 1800 and now he’s on the back-up.”
“I think his best distance is round that 2000-metre point, so it’s just a matter of whether he’s ready for it.”
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