Sabaj has once again demonstrated his affinity for Melbourne Cup Week, securing a popular victory in Tuesday’s $200,000 Listed Asahi Super Dry Plate at Flemington.
The gelding, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, recorded its first win of the year as the $2.60 favourite over the 1800-metre distance.
After being scratched from a Melbourne Cup Day support race to be aimed at Champions Day, which he won with Mark Zahra as his rider, the son of Manhattan Rain was reunited with the two-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey for Tuesday’s success.
“It took me a year to get back on him, they drive a hard bargain there at Price Kent (Racing),” Zahra remarked with a chuckle.
“He’s a beautiful horse, obviously he’s been running in very good races, got back to his grade, or to a drop in grade today, he had every chance, and he was strong in the end.”
This victory marks the five-year-old’s first since last year’s Cranbourne Cup, achieved the start after his Flemington triumph. It also boosted his career earnings to $911,645, marking his sixth career win.
He finished a half-neck ahead of the closing Darkbonee, with Magnaspin ($31) a neck further back in third.
The win followed unplaced performances in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), and Toorak Handicap (1600m). Kent highlighted Zahra’s ride, particularly the moment he navigated a tight passage in the straight, as crucial to the victory.
“He’s been in three Group Ones where he’s drawn wide and been back and widest every time,” Kent stated.
“It got a bit hairy there I must admit but in Zahra we trust and the horse was excellent.”
Sabaj is currently entered for this Saturday’s $3 million Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m). Kent indicated that a decision regarding his participation would be made tomorrow morning, with a potential trip to Perth for the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) also being considered.
For those looking to back a winner, consider exploring the latest racing odds available at Australian betting sites.
