Cranbourne Cup winner Sabaj heads to $2m The Ingham at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Sabaj has pleased his trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr so much since his Cranbourne Cup victory that plans for a spell have been abandoned in favour of a crack at The Ingham.

Sabaj, ridden by Beau Mertens, wins the Cranbourne Cup on November 22. He’ll head to Randwick on Saturday for the $2 million The Ingham. Picture: Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Smart Cranbourne Cup winner Sabaj has tuned up perfectly for the $2m The Ingham (1600m) on Saturday at Randwick.

Sabaj, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, recovered so well from the Cranbourne win – in track record time – it forced a rethink on initial thoughts to spell now and prepare for a Sydney autumn campaign.

Sabaj, who galloped in the Sydney direction last Saturday at Cranbourne, has another clockwise tick over on Tuesday before the road trip north.

Former South Australian-based galloper Sabaj handled the Sydney way last October when a luckless sixth on debut for the Price-Kent Jr stable in the Silver Eagle (1300m).

He returned to Melbourne and ploughed through rain-affected ground to win a Benchmark 84 at Flemington then defied a wide draw to claim the Listed Cranbourne Cup.

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“To be honest, post-race (Cranbourne) we were in two minds,” Kent Jr said.

“Mick was delighted with what he saw (the next morning), the horse ate really well … while he ran a track record, the horse coped really well with the run.

“No travelling involved, being at Cranbourne, so that probably helped a bit and for a lighter framed horse he looks good in the body.”

Sabaj spent a week on light duties, grass paddock rest and some dressage work, at Kent Jr’s agistment property, Kingshaven.

Kent Jr has ridden Sabaj in slow trackwork since the Cranbourne Cup.

Cranbourne Cup | Sabaj

Sabaj descends down the outside to win the 2025 Cranbourne Cup 🏆 A terrific win by a talented horse on an upward trajectory 📈

📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0pic.twitter.com/zowjB8VuRH

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 22, 2025

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“He’s in the zone,” Kent Jr said.

“I like to ride on slow mornings, to have a feel, I never want to lose that touch or fitness I suppose and it gets you out of the office and off the phone, so I enjoy riding.”

The Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick has been flagged as an autumn target for Sabaj.

“We haven’t thought that far ahead (autumn targets) but winning (The Ingham) would elevate your rating and give you options wouldn’t it,” Kent Jr said.

“It was a hard race to pass up, given the incredible prizemoney, fact it’s a handicap on the big Randwick mile.

“Cranbourne posed some concerns being a tight track – we got away with it, but he’s a big track miler.

“Getting in on the minimum at 53kg, it (The Ingham) does look like a nice race for him.”

"I don't think it could've worked out any better..."@beau_mertens rode Sabaj perfectly to claim the 2025 Cranbourne Cup 🍑 pic.twitter.com/erg79YF58o

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 22, 2025

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Meanwhile, Taken has also continued to impress Kent Jr towards the $1m The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday.

“He’s going to have to take a big step up in class,” Kent Jr conceded.

“But (managing owner) Carl Holt is a big player in the game, got a lot of horses and had a lot of luck in our stable and he’s got a slot.

“He’s very keen for the horse to run and it fitted in with the program, he has won his last five, so he’s earned his spot.”

Taken resumed with a strong and promising win last month at Caulfield.

Caulfield Race 10 I Taken

Taken continues to progress, winning his last five starts ✅ @Brown_ethan8 adds to his C.F. Orr Stakes success, claiming the last race at Caulfield ⭐️

📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0pic.twitter.com/9KcIVOrCfh

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 15, 2025

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“We’re four weeks from his win, have him nice and fresh for the 1400m and Pakenham is going to be a beautiful track for him,” Kent Jr said.

“It’s going to be hard to beat horses like (inaugural The Supernova winner) Here To Shock and Private Eye at the weight scale.

‘But we’ve got a progressive horse. I know one thing, he’s a winner – he’s yet to miss a place in 10 starts, five wins and five placing.

“He doesn’t like losing … I don’t know where his ceiling is.”

Originally published as Cranbourne Cup winner Sabaj heads to $2m The Ingham at Royal Randwick on Saturday