The jockey merry-go-round with suspensions and interstate commitments has seen Beau Mertens regain the ride on Sabaj in the Australian Cup.
Mick Price had initially delivered the disappointing news to Mertens that Mark Zahra would take the mount on Sabaj in the Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
However, that decision was quickly overturned after Zahra was suspended at the Caulfield Heath meeting on Wednesday for careless riding and then incurred an additional ban on Saturday for a whip breach, ruling him out of the ride.
“If only I had waited, I would have been a good bloke, instead I’ve covered myself in shame,” Price said.
“I had to put my arm around Beau again as there are riders going left, right and centre.”
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Sabaj heads into the Australian Cup off a last-start fourth in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 7.
Finishing ahead of him that day were Australian Cup rivals Tom Kitten and Pride Of Jenni, while another key contender, Birdman, comes off a win in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on March 14.
Price said the stable had been keen to test Sabaj at the 2000m trip.
“He’s a big clean-winded horse and we’ve been working him for 2000 metres,” Price said.
“I think he’ll show up, but he’s got to be good enough on the day. He’s a nice, sound horse, and he seems to go on all types of ground.
“If Jenni turns up, she will be unbeatable and Birdman, he’s coming through the 1800-metre race.
“It’s a competitive race, he likes Flemington. It will be a small field, he’s a relaxed horse, so he should travel good.”
Sabaj had a minor setback prior to the All-Star Mile which forced the stable to alter their original path.
The initial plan had been to run in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) before progressing to the Peter Young Stakes, but those plans were scrapped.
“My question on the horse starting in the Australian Cup is he has to be good enough on the day to win a 2000-metre weight-for-age race,” Price said.
“I do think it’s a better option than the Doncaster Mile and it’s staring us in the face, so we might as well try it.”
Looking beyond Saturday, Price indicated Sabaj could head north for the latter part of the Sydney Carnival or potentially target races during the Queensland Winter Carnival.
Punters can assess the Australian Cup field and compare odds via leading Australian betting sites.
