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.”