Dropping back in class from contesting G1 races at his previous five starts, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s Manhattan Rain gelding Sabaj recorded his second black type victory, winning the $200,000 Listed VRC Asahi Super Dry Plate (1800m).
Having ended his Autumn campaign with fourth placed efforts in the G1 All-Star Mile and G1 Australian Cup, the 5yo gelding hasn’t really fired in his three starts so far this time in, but the drop in class and a step up to 1800m saw the South Australian bred runner show his best.
Sent off the favourite in the field of ten, jockey Mark Zahra settled Sabaj back in the field with Al Duca and Wymark (NZ) going forward to take up the running.
With not a lot of change throughout the run, Al Duca cornered for home where he kicked a few lengths clear as Sabaj was stuck behind a wall of horses as the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin trained Magnaspin was coming down the outside.
Darting to the inside of runners before coming off the heels of Al Duca, Sabaj hit the lead, holding off the late charge of the second favourite Darkbonee to score by a half-neck with a further neck back to Magnaspin in third.
Never in doubt ?? SABAJ salutes in the Asahi Super Dry Plate for Mark Zahra and Michael Kent Jnr. #MelbourneCup https://t.co/V31kbCA7Vt
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 3, 2026
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr felt the class drop was the key to seeing the best from Sabaj.
“I mean he's been in three group ones where he's drawn wide and been back and widest every time,” said Kent Jnr. “It got a bit hairy there I must admit but in Zahra we trust and the horse was excellent.”
Asked if he could back up on Saturday where he holds a nomination for the $3m G1 Champions Stakes (2000m), Kent Jnr said it all was dependant on how he pulled up.
“He's got a cheeky nom for Saturday. So I'll be on him tomorrow morning at the beach and I'll give you (owners) a call and tell you. So if not that, then there is the option to go to Perth.”
“It is the week of backups and he's been given a very light spring so far. We tried to aim at the Toorak, it didn't quite work for us so we're back on track, everyone's got their confidence back, it’s a good problem to have.”
Having not ridden him since winning on the final day of the Flemington carnival last year, Zahra was pleased to be back on him.
“Took me a year to get back on him, they drive a hard bargain there at Price Kent,” said Zahra. “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.”
“He's not the best barrier horse, so you've got to take your medicine. They didn't go that hard, I was three back the fence and it was always going to be a matter of just getting a bit of room.
“And luckily I was travelling good enough that I was able to go back in and then come out and just stave off the challenge late from Darkbonee.”
Taking his earnings to $913,795, Sabaj has seven wins and three placed efforts from 16 starts highlighted by his two Listed victories.
Bred by Ms Angie Rossi, Joe Piteo, Paul Piteo and Pat Hodby, the son of Manhattan Rain is the third winner, and first stakes winner out of the Uncle Mo mare Bouzy.
The third foal out of the mare is the 4yo Peltzer gelding Bred 'Em All a winner of three of his four starts, while the mare’s current 2yo is the unraced Peltzer gelding Bypass also in the care of Price and Kent.
The mare foaled a full brother to Bypass the following year before unfortunately passing away in September this year in foal to Alabama Express.
From a strong Mill Park Stud raised family which includes stakes winners Run Fox Run, Majestic Music, Serious Speed, Guard Of Honour, Victory Chant and Reldas, the gelding holds a nomination to the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and the G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) during Ascot’s summer carnival.
Sabaj is one of 21 stakes winner for the Geisel Park Stud based Manhattan Rain with the G1-winning Encosta de Lago half-brother to Redoute’s Choice standing a at a bargain fee of $6,600 (inc. GST) this season.
