Sabaj set for another Carnival challenge at Flemington

Sabaj is set for a vastly different race when he contests his second start of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained runner impressed earlier in the week with a Listed race victory over 1800 metres at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.

On Saturday, Sabaj returns to the Flemington track for the Champions Stakes, a 2000-metre event where he will face the leading horses from the Cox Plate, held at Flemington two weeks ago.

This will be the gelding's second attempt at 2000 metres, having previously finished fourth to Light Infantry Man in the Australian Cup earlier in the year.

Trainer Mick Price believes the step up in distance will be suitable for Sabaj, although he stressed that it's a different calibre of race compared to his recent win.

"He should run well, but I would be surprised if he was to stand up and win," Price commented.

"But I think sometimes you back them up through this Carnival, and they seem to run well."

"It's not like he's second-up or anything. He's conditioned up, he had a good 1800-metre hit-out the other day."

"He went to the beach on Wednesday, was on the treadmill on Thursday, had a trot and canter on Friday, and then race day on Saturday and his best run was in the Australian Cup over 2000 metres."

Last year, Sabaj was successful on this program, winning a 1600m benchmark 84 on a rain-affected track before going on to win the Cranbourne Cup.

The forecast for Saturday suggests similar weather conditions, with cold and wet weather anticipated, though Price hopes for minimal rainfall.

"I don't want to make it too much of a grind for him," Price said.

"He's had two 1400-metre runs, a mile, an 1800 and now he's on the back-up."

"I think his best distance is round that 2000-metre point, so it's just a matter of whether he's ready for it."

Consider checking out Australian betting sites for the latest racing odds on the Champions Stakes.