Stabemates commence campaign in Memsie Stakes

The stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr could have chosen the seemingly easier path for two of their returning gallopers at Caulfield.

The Evergreen Turf Handicap, run over 1400 metres at Caulfield on Saturday at benchmark 100 level, might have presented an ideal starting point for Sabaj and Planet Red.

Last year, Sepals claimed this very race before proceeding to secure the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield three weeks onward.

With 15 potential runners in the Evergreen Handicap, Price and Kent Jnr determined that the more select field of 12 in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on Saturday would serve as the initial target for the pair, although Price acknowledged that a win would be surprising.

The Memsie Stakes field is headed by numerous Group 1 winners including Mr Brightside, Jimmysstar, Tom Kitten, Buckaroo, Birdman, Autumn Boy, Beiwacht, and Treasurethe Moment. Also featuring is promising Group 1 contender Angel Capital and the highly-rated Perth horse Cosmic Crusader, who remains undefeated in two starts for his new trainer, Andrea Leek.

Both Sabaj and Planet Red are first-up, and Price confirmed the booking of Jamie Melham and Blake Shinn respectively for the rides, reiterating the initial plan was always to contest the Memsie.

Shinn was aboard Planet Red during a recent jump-out at Pakenham on August 11, where they finished behind Sheza Alibi. Sabaj finished slightly ahead of his stablemate in the same trial.

"They're both going well but I don't expect either of them to win, I suppose," said Price.

"Sabaj is a Cranbourne Cup winner who has a nice race in him while Planet Red is a three-year-old going into his four-year-old year.

"I think they'll both be suited in mile handicaps, like the Toorak and those sorts of races."

Based at Rosehill in Sydney, Price mentioned that both Sabaj and Planet Red might eventually be sent north for the latter part of the spring carnival.

"The five-year-old Sabaj, might be headed to the Five Diamonds, the 1800 (metres) might be good and I think the Golden Eagle is a very hard race to win now because it's 1500 (metres)," Price explained.

"That's a fast mile race, but he'll be there to win the right races."

Price and Kent Jnr possess a Golden Eagle victory to their name, having won the $10 million race in 2021 with I'm Thunderstruck.

The Golden Eagle is scheduled for October 31, with the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill taking place the following week.

Check out the latest betting markets for the race at online bookmakers.