Marabi to take step towards Oakleigh Plate on Boxing Day

Exciting sprinter Marabi can secure an Oakleigh Plate berth at her next start on Boxing Day but it won’t be the mare’s main goal in the autumn.

Marabi is coming off a seven-length win at Ballarat last month.

Unbeaten mare Marabi turned plenty of heads at Ballarat on Cup day and co-trainer David Eustace indicated a possible tilt at the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate could be on the cards.

The five-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible only debuted in February, winning her first three starts and showed she had returned an improved product when blitzing her rivals by an imposing seven lengths at Ballarat.

What have we witnessed here?

Marabi could be anything! pic.twitter.com/ABjCyypEhZ

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 21, 2021

Eustace, who trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said they will likely give Marabi her next start at Caulfield on Boxing Day before turning their focus towards the autumn carnival.

“Marabi will run on Boxing Day in the Christmas Stakes at Caulfield,” Eustace said.

“She’s a high quality horse and it’s a good race for her ahead of some tougher targets.

“She will stay in work and just tick over and focus on the autumn after Boxing Day.”

The Christmas Stakes gives the winner a start in the Oakleigh Plate and while a tilt at the Group 1 sprint is possible, Eustace said the main aim is the Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

“The Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley at the end of January is a target race for her if she comes through well,” Eustace said.

“That race before (Christmas Stakes) is a win-and-you’re-in for the Oakleigh Plate so that is on the cards as well.”

WOW!!

MARABI BLOWS THEM AWAY!@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/bRe8wf6ysa

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 20, 2021

All four of Marabi’s wins have been by a combined margin of 22½ lengths with Ben Allen in the saddle on each occasion and the jockey says she is only beginning to show her full potential.

“It was the way she sprinted home. When we got to the turn, she changed gears. The way she let rip was the key factor,” Allen told RSN post-race.

“It was the first time she gave me a really good feel. It was really exciting.”

Three-year-old filly Decent Raine was a winner on the same day at Ballarat, saluting in the Gold Eureka Stockdale and will also head to Caulfield on Boxing Day.

“She was good winning at Ballarat and will also run on Boxing Day at Caulfield,” Eustace said.

Originally published as Marabi to take step towards Oakleigh Plate on Boxing Day