2025 Cranbourne Cup the preferred option for talented Saban
Trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen, who combined for their landmark 900th winner during the week, will look to keep the momentum rolling with another feature performance, most likely at Cranbourne.
Nolen is scheduled to ride Saban, prepared by Moody and Katherine Coleman, in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m). While Moody lifted the trophy in 2007 with Emerald Jack, Nolen is still searching for his first win in the race.
Their milestone win came courtesy of Cooly at Caulfield Heath, and Nolen said a Cranbourne Cup victory would be particularly satisfying given his Pearcedale roots.
Saban returns to racing after two consecutive Sandown wins over 1800m during winter, and he is also an acceptor for Sunday’s $200,000 Kilmore Cup (1600m), for which Nolen is again booked.
Moody revealed that Saban had purposely been kept away from the busiest section of the Melbourne Spring Carnival and instead targeted toward the summer fixtures.
“He had a nice break after he had a good campaign last time around,” Moody said.
“The form around him last time, I thought, was as good as anything in this race and I’d expect him to go there and run well.
“I’ve put him in the Kilmore Cup as well as an option, but I thought the Cranbourne Cup, for a horse with his form around the likes of Sayedaty Sadaty and Earlswood and those types of horses, it’s a race that could be well within his grasp.
“He’s had a couple of nice trials, and the 1600 metres is a nice kick-off point for him.”
Saban heads a list of nine horses dually entered for both the Cranbourne Cup and the Kilmore Cup.
The Kilmore Cup field is full with 14 runners, while Cranbourne’s Cup has 16 plus two emergencies.
Other dual acceptors include Warnie, El Rocko, Regal Zeus, Bank Maur, Sabaj, Verdad, Pondalowie and Scheelite.
Moody said Saban’s future assignments remain open-ended.
“There are some races in Sydney leading up to and around Christmas that might suit,” Moody said.
“This is a starting off point, either Saturday or Sunday, I’m thinking Saturday, but I’m keeping an open mind about his campaign, but he’s ready to run, and run well.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...