Trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman face an intriguing decision regarding the future distance of in-form galloper Saban, following his second consecutive win at Sandown on Saturday.
Saban made it back-to-back triumphs over 1800m at the track, claiming victory in the Sportsbet More Places Handicap just two weeks after scoring over the same course and distance on May 24.
The Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 5 looms as one possible target, though his winning apprentice Luke Cartwright believes Saban may now be ready to stretch out to 2000m.
Cartwright settled Saban ($5.50) in the second half of the field before unleashing a powerful run down the straight, outlasting Earlswood ($10) by a long neck, with race favourite Sayedaty Sadaty ($4.60) finishing two lengths back in third.
“I knew this fella would be perfect at the trip,” Cartwright said.
“He likes a mile. I don’t know if he sees out 2000 (metres) perfectly, but 1800 metres is his prime distance.
“He cruises up down that hill, then he has a bit of think when he hits the front, but he knew he was going to win that race.
“He loves 1800 metres and the way he’s settling in his races and being an older horse, maybe now is the time to try him over 2000 metres to see if he gets it.”
Moody, who was on holiday when Saban won last month, said the gelding had shown ability as a younger horse but took time to mature.
“He won a Listed race as a three-year-old and then probably went missing, but now that he’s matured and strengthen up, he’s starting to hit his straps,” Moody said.
“With Luke’s claim, coming in under the limit weight and striking form, you tend to hold it.
“I think a mile, 1800-metres, is right in his wheelhouse.
He’s probably shown that he is not a genuine stayer, so if he’s got to run in a race like the Winter Championship, we’d certainly look at it.”
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