Jockey Ben Allen to pour on the pressure with Marabi in William Reid Stakes

Unbeaten mare Marabi is set to break her rivals’ hearts again in Friday night’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley.

Marabi and Ben Allen will chase their second Group 1 win in as many outings in Friday night’s William Reid Stakes at The Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Pressure makes diamonds but it has also broken the hearts of Marabi’s opposition in her unbeaten run of seven wins.

Marabi posted her maiden Group 1 win under handicap conditions in last month’s Oakleigh Plate but will take on a smart field at weight-for-age in the William Reid Stakes.

Marabi easily handled her first test at weight-for-age two starts back in the Group 2 Australia Stakes.

But jockey Ben Allen said Marabi hasn’t faced a field like that engaged in Friday night’s $1m event.

“She won at weight-for-age at Group 2 but that was a different class of horses,” Allen said.

“She’ll have to step up again in a big field with a few classy sprinters in it.

“She’s done everything perfectly in her whole career and she always gives her best and she seems to step up to the plate every time she rises in class.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how she rates against this group of horses.”

While Allen said Marabi will face tougher opposition, the jockey said the tactics will be the same.

Marabi will go forward in her usual fashion.

Unbeaten mare Marabi has already won under lights at The Valley, the venue for the Group 1 William Reid Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

Allen said a ridiculous early speed would prevent Marabi from leading but the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare will exert pressure from the outset.

“The aim is to roll and let her be happy in front. But if they want to go quick, we can sit off them.” Allen said.

“There’s no real set plan.

“But she also has that high cruising speed and it’s always good to use her best asset, which is that high speed.”

The point of The Valley home turn will sort the contenders from the pretenders when Marabi ups the ante.

“There will be a few that will try to keep up with her but once she kicks, they kind of drop away quite quickly,” Allen said.

“It breaks their hearts more than anything because she can go at that brutal speed and still find something off it to finish off her races quite well.

“She can quicken off that high speed, which many can’t, and she really brings them undone a bit.”

Bookmakers expect Marabi to remain unbeaten in the William Reid Stakes, which is the last Victorian Group 1 race of the season, posting her at $1.70 in early betting.

Newmarket Handicap runner-up The Astrologist is a $12 second favourite ahead of The Inferno and Kemalpasa at $15.

Originally published as Jockey Ben Allen to pour on the pressure with Marabi in William Reid Stakes