Sabaj shapes as a serious autumn player for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable after his first victory at Stakes victory.
Providing Mick Price with his fourth win in the Listed Cranbourne Cup, the training pair are looking to the autumn and beyond with Sabaj after his 1600m victory on Saturday.
Originally concerned whether Sabaj would gain a start and then with the barrier, Price and Kent Jnr had little to worry about as the gelding was given a perfect ride under Beau Mertens.
Sent out the $3.30 favourite, Sabaj scored a three-quarter length win from Enxuto ($6.50) with Holyman ($16) a half-head away third.
Sabaj followed the victory of Globe for Price and Kent Jnr who took out the race last year before going on to win the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield during the spring.
Price said the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick in April is a race that appeals for Sabaj.
“I have to do my sums, but I can imagine him with a light weight and on a big track,” Price said.
“I know he handled the wet in the carnival, so the Doncaster is certainly a race you’d put a circle around.
“Light weight, big track, that’s him. He got himself out of jail here on this track, but the one good thing about being here is there’s a long 900-metre run so you are not jerking him around.
“He was off the fence, well balanced and he finished off strongly.
“I will put a circle around the Doncaster if I can because I don’t think he’s bottomed out, so if I spell him now, I’ll have a lovely horse in the autumn, which is very close.”
Sabaj was formerly prepared in Adelaide by Richard and Chantelle Jolly and was having just his third start for the Price and Kent Jnr yard.
Price conceded the stable was still getting to know Sabaj.
“He is sort of a brand-new horse,” Price said.
“He’s perfectly sound, feet, knees, fetlock, lovely. He’s lightly raced, good ability. He’s clean winded and I think if we look after him, he will be fine.
“I’m not saying he’s a tough horse, that’s not how we treat him, but I think we’re gelling with him and if we treat him right, we can have a lovely horse in the autumn and we can chase a good race.”
While it was Price’s fourth success in the race, for Mertens it was his first.
Mertens did his apprenticeship with Mick Kent at Cranbourne and victory in Saturday’s race means a lot.
“It’s unbelievable. I didn’t think it would hit me as hard as it has,” Mertens said.
“I was apprenticed to Michael Kent here throughout my years at Cranbourne and now I have an association with Mick Price and Mick Kent Jnr.
“Mick Price has been a big part of my career for a very long time, and we’ve had a great connection and a great association.
“It’s fantastic to deliver in such a fantastic race.”