The Herbert Power Stakes is a last-chance saloon for many Caulfield Cup hopefuls, but those hoping to secure the ballot exemption that accompanied victory in this year’s edition were denied by a horse not even heading that way.
Saracen Knight proved too strong for is rivals in the $300,000 Group 2 over 2400 metres.
The gelding is not even nominated for next Saturday’s Caulfield Cup with O’Brien opting to target the following Saturday’s $1 million Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) instead.
“When the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups nominations closed we thought it was a bridge too far from where he was at but we’ve got a million-dollar Moonee Valley Cup in two weeks’ time so I suspect that we’ll head there,” O’Brien said.
“We’ll pick off the races that we can.”
It was the second win in the Herbert Power Stakes for O’Brien, who won the 2007 edition with Master O’Reilly, who backed up to win the Caulfield Cup.
Saturday’s win was the second in a row for Saracen Knight, who won the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) at Mornington on September 24.
It was the sixth career success for the eight-year-old, who was brought to Australia by Lloyd Williams in 2020 but was later sold to clients of O’Brien’s and has missed a place just once his past seven starts, including three wins.
Jamie Kah engineered the Herbert Power success, pushing Saracen Knight forward from his inside draw and putting pressure on the leaders rounding the home turn before taking the lead early in the straight.
Saracen Knight ($4.20 fav) was strong all the way up the straight and held 1-1/4 lengths over Makram ($21) at the line with Desert Icon ($8) a half-head away third.
“Geez this horse is flying,” Kah said. “They’ve just got this horse in the zone, he’s push button to ride but he just really wants to do it at the moment.
“He’s perfect for that style of race (MV Cup). You can put him anywhere in the run so I’m looking forward to it.”
