Kabayan, the horse Gai Waterhouse and Nash Rawiller had hoped could win them this year’s Golden Rose, will put his credentials for another Group One on show in Saturday’s Norman Robinson Stakes.
Kabayan is set to line up as favourite in the Group Three Norman Robinson (2000m) at Caulfield, a traditional lead up race to the Group One Victoria Derby (2500m).
The three-year-old gelding failed to live up to the stable’s expectations when fifth in the $1 million Group One Golden Rose (1400m) in Sydney earlier in the spring.
He bounced back to show his class with an impressive victory over the Golden Rose runner-up Albrecht in the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at his next start.
He returns to Caulfield on Saturday having finished second in the McNeil Stakes first-up, and his jockey said he can’t be faulted.
“He’s at the top of his game,” Rawiller said.
“And he’s always shown that the 2000 metres would be right up his alley.”
Kabayan is the $2.90 favourite for the Norman Robinson with TAB fixed odds ahead of the unbeaten Mick Kent-trained Philippi at $4.40.
Hvasstan, who was second to Philippi in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) last start, is on the third line of betting at $5.50.
The Victoria Derby (2500m) is run two weeks after the Norman Robinson on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington.
The Murray Baker-trained It’s A Dundeel is the dominant Derby favourite on the back of five wins from as many starts including the Group One Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney.
Baker’s Sydney-based trainer son Bjorn said there was a leaning towards starting It’s A Dundeel in The Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday week instead of heading straight to the Derby without another run.
