With Pride Of Jenni lined up for the All-Star Mile, it complicates matters for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable’s Sabaj.
The All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington scheduled for Saturday acts as Sabaj’s alternative after blood problems prevented his run in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last weekend.
Prior plans had Sabaj building towards the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28, via the Blamey Stakes and the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield a fortnight from now, factoring in Pride Of Jenni’s All-Star Mile nomination.
“Originally, we wanted to go Blamey, Peter Young, Australian Cup,” Price said.
“We thought that was the best option because if Pride Of Jenni is at her best, she is unbeatable.
“I don’t know if she is, but whenever she is a race, they can be upset races.
“Who is the horse that carts up?
“Those races are so unusual when Pride Of Jenni is blasting away, but because we had a bad blood count, we’ve ended up in the All-Star Mile, and I’m not sure whether we end up in the Australian Cup after that or not.”
Sabaj registered an inflammatory signal in his blood, which Price cited as reason to hold him back from racing.
The gelding is now in top shape, and Price looks for a solid effort from his draw, without positioning as the lone trailer behind Pride Of Jenni.
“He’ll be around there somewhere at the finish, but everyone needs her to have an off day,” Price said.
“If you have horses behind you and only Pride Of Jenni in front of you, it’s a tough gig, but I don’t think that will be us.
“I’m not sure who it is, and that is why it can be an upset race. You can only ride the race you are in, not Pride Of Jenni’s race.
“If she capitulates, you’re on, if not, no-one beats her.”
Price was eager to trial Sabaj at the 2000m distance, pinpointing the Australian Cup as suitable.
The interruption clouds whether he’ll make it there, with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick the following month as a fallback.
The Doncaster Mile (1600m) presents another possibility beforehand.
“He’s a good miler on a big track but plans are up in the air because we had to divert,” Price said.
“I’ve been keen to try him at 2000 metres because I think he’s got that tempo about him and if they do get 2000 metres, it opens up more options.
“He could end up in the Queen Elzabeth, or he could go to Queensland, but we were going to find out a but in the Australian Cup.”
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