Sabaj takes out the 2025 Cranbourne Cup in style

Sabaj looks set to play a significant role in the upcoming autumn carnival after securing a maiden Stakes success for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr operation.

The gelding gave Price his fourth win in the Listed Cranbourne Cup, and his determined 1600m victory has the stable excited about what lies ahead.

Despite early worries about making the field and later about the barrier, Sabaj’s task was made straightforward by Beau Mertens, who delivered a composed and well-timed ride.

Starting a $3.30 favourite, Sabaj outfinished Enxuto ($6.50) by three-quarters of a length, with Holyman ($16) close behind in third.

His win mirrored Globe’s success for the stable the previous year before going on to capture the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield.

Price confirmed the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) is firmly in consideration for Sabaj.

“I have to do my sums, but I can imagine him with a light weight and on a big track,” Price said.

“I know he handled the wet in the carnival, so the Doncaster is certainly a race you’d put a circle around.

“Light weight, big track, that’s him. He got himself out of jail here on this track, but the one good thing about being here is there’s a long 900-metre run so you are not jerking him around.

“He was off the fence, well balanced and he finished off strongly.

“I will put a circle around the Doncaster if I can because I don’t think he’s bottomed out, so if I spell him now, I’ll have a lovely horse in the autumn, which is very close.”

The stable is still learning about Sabaj following his move from the Richard and Chantelle Jolly team in Adelaide.

“He is sort of a brand-new horse,” Price said.

“He’s perfectly sound, feet, knees, fetlock, lovely. He’s lightly raced, good ability. He’s clean winded and I think if we look after him, he will be fine.

“I’m not saying he’s a tough horse, that’s not how we treat him, but I think we’re gelling with him and if we treat him right, we can have a lovely horse in the autumn and we can chase a good race.”

For Beau Mertens, the win carried personal significance as his first Cranbourne Cup triumph at the venue where he spent his apprenticeship.

“It’s unbelievable. I didn’t think it would hit me as hard as it has,” Mertens said.

“I was apprenticed to Michael Kent here throughout my years at Cranbourne and now I have an association with Mick Price and Mick Kent Jnr.

“Mick Price has been a big part of my career for a very long time, and we’ve had a great connection and a great association.

“It’s fantastic to deliver in such a fantastic race.”

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