Coongy Handicap secured by Ziryab under Johnstone's guidance

Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone has been on a remarkable ascent since his relocation from Tasmania to the prominent Ciaron Maher stable on the mainland.

Following his maiden Stakes race victory earlier this month, Johnstone added the Group 3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) to his growing list of achievements on Wednesday, masterfully steering Ziryab to an all-the-way win.

A coveted ride in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday now awaits Johnstone when he partners Kings Valley, and he is also slated to ride Mr Monaco in the prestigious Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.

Ziryab, sent off at $5, held off the strong challenge of $3 favourite Darkbonee by a neck, with Sunset Park ($14) a further short-neck adrift in third position.

"I'm so grateful to Ciaron and the whole team," Johnstone shared.

"I've been here around five months and to win two Group 3's and have a Group 1 ride, it's a real moment.

"And the way Kings Valley is going, he's a real chance in the Caulfield Cup."

Trainer Ciaron Maher expressed his admiration for Johnstone's tactical ride aboard Ziryab, an English-bred gelding by Kingman, who recorded his second consecutive success after his Mornington win last month.

Maher had advised Johnstone against setting too slow a pace on the gelding, and the apprentice executed the instructions perfectly.

"His best asset is his sectionals," Maher revealed. "I was a little bit worried around the top that he had backed it off a little too much, but he did pick it up early.

"The horse has a crack, and he showed that last start and again today.

"Jabez is going well and it's good to see him win another good race after he won The Bart Cummings for us and now, he's won a Coongy.

"Hopefully he can keep it rolling into a Caulfield Cup as he's certainly got a live chance."

Ziryab's form has been somewhat inconsistent since his transfer from the UK, despite a victorious Australian debut at Cranbourne.

The gelding achieved a third-place finish in the Warrnambool Cup last year but found it difficult to maintain that level of performance, leading to a spell in Tasmania during the Summer Carnival earlier in the year.

"The owners have had to be patient," Maher commented. "There have been a few preparations where they were like 'what are you doing', but he's furnished now and you can see that he's happy."

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