Spring Preparations Commence for Planet Red and Sabaj

Although Planet Red and Sabaj have distinct goals for the spring racing season, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained geldings might cross paths during their preparations.

The two horses completed their initial jumpouts of the campaign on Monday morning at Cranbourne.

Sabaj finished third, less than two lengths behind the winner Proved, without being overly extended in its first serious workout. Planet Red followed, finishing second, approximately two and a half lengths adrift of Spirit Of Wealth.

This marked the most significant work of the campaign for both horses. They are both expected to make their return in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 29, with the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) being the subsequent target before they head to Sydney for their major spring assignments.

"I think they're running in the hot Memsie," Price stated.

"With their rating, the calendar pushes you in that way. I think they'll both kick off there because of their rating and the timing of it.

"They're both nice horses and they're both sort of Toorak Handicap horses."

If all goes according to plan leading up to the Toorak Handicap, which is scheduled to be held at Caulfield on October 10, Planet Red will then be aimed at the Golden Eagle (1500m). This year, the race will be elevated to Group 1 status for the first time.

Mick Price and Michael Kent partnered to win the 2021 Golden Eagle with I'm Thunderstruck, who also secured the Toorak Handicap. Price mentioned that the $10 million event is an unmissable opportunity for the gelding, who had previously placed second in both the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and Australian Guineas earlier this season.

"His run in the Caulfield Guineas was very good, drawn a bad gate, and his run in the Australian Guineas was very good, drawn a bad gate, so we were forced to ride cold in both those races," he remarked about the son of Admire Mars.

"The Golden Eagle is a fast 1500. You need a horse with a pretty good turn of foot and, for $10m and four-year-olds, I think he'll be in it."

Sabaj's primary objective in Sydney is the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m), a race exclusively for five-year-old horses, set to be contested on November 7.

The son of Manhattan Rain has amassed five victories from twelve career starts. Though he has not yet won in his three starts this year, he did manage to finish fourth in both the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) and Australian Cup (2000m).

"He's a nice horse and I think anywhere between a mile and 2000 (is suitable)," Price commented.

"I reckon the Five Diamonds for him, because he will be a five-year-old.

"It's 1800, that'd be beautiful. That'll be a nice race for him."

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