The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr training partnership might have overlooked the simpler path for two of their resuming gallopers at Caulfield.
The Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m) on Saturday, a benchmark 100 event, could have served as an ideal starting point for Sabaj and Planet Red.
Last year, Sepals secured victory in this race before going on to win the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield three weeks later.
With 15 runners entered for the Evergreen, Price and Kent Jnr concluded that the more exclusive field of 12 in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on Saturday would be the preferred launchpad for the pair, though Price conceded that a win would be unexpected.
The Memsie Stakes boasts a field of 12, featuring Group 1 winners Mr Brightside, Jimmysstar, Tom Kitten, Buckaroo, Birdman, Autumn Boy, Beiwacht, and Treasurethe Moment. Also in the mix is Group 1 prospect Angel Capital and top Perth galloper Cosmic Crusader, who is undefeated in two starts for new trainer Andrea Leek.
Sabaj and Planet Red are both making their return, and Price confirmed that Jamie Melham and Blake Shinn have been booked for the mounts, with the intention always being to debut them in the Memsie.
Shinn rode Planet Red in a recent Pakenham jump-out on August 11, finishing behind Sheza Alibi. Sabaj finished just ahead of his stablemate in the same trial.
“They’re both going well but I don’t expect either of them to win, I suppose,” Price remarked.
“Sabaj is a Cranbourne Cup winner who has a nice race in him while Planet Red is a three-year-old going into his four-year-old year.
“I think they’ll both be suited in mile handicaps, like the Toorak and those sorts of races.”
Operating from their Rosehill base in Sydney, Price indicated that both Sabaj and Planet Red might eventually be directed north for the latter part of the spring carnival.
“The five-year-old Sabaj, might be headed to the Five Diamonds, the 1800 (metres) might be good and I think the Golden Eagle is a very hard race to win now because it’s 1500 (metres),” Price stated.
“That’s a fast mile race, but he’ll be there to win the right races.”
Price and Kent Jnr are no strangers to winning the $10 million Golden Eagle, having clinched the race in 2021 with I’m Thunderstruck.
The Golden Eagle is set to be run on October 31, followed by the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill the subsequent week.
For those keen on the action, explore the available racing odds on betting sites.