One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Schabau on comeback trail for new trainer Andrew Bobbin

A one-time Melbourne Cup favourite and one of racing’s unluckiest gallopers could continue his comeback for a new trainer at Flemington on Saturday.

A one-time Melbourne Cup fancy will start the next phase of his career on the King’s Birthday long weekend.

German-bred import Schabau rocketed to the top of Melbourne Cup markets back in 2019 when the son of Pastorius won his first three starts in Melbourne for trainer Robert Hickmott.

Schabau looked a potential topliner when strolling to an easy win in that year’s Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington.

Unfortunately for Hickmott and connections, injury would deny them the chance to see the best of Schabau.

Schabau missed long periods of racing as continual issues dogged his career but he still managed another win at Flemington in August 2021.

He's a GUN!

Schabau wins the second at Flemington.

Off to the paddock for a well deserved break. pic.twitter.com/FUzKU8uc60

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 2, 2019

He had one start in September last year, struggling over 1700m at that outing, which was his first for 11 months.

Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin now has the rising 10-year-old in his stable.

“I’ve had him for about 12 weeks but he’s a nice horse,” Bobbin said.

“He came to me fresh from the paddock so we’ve totally started from scratch with him.

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Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin has started preparing former smart stayer Schabau for a jumping career. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

“He’s had plenty of time off and a few hiccups along the way but working him here in the heavy sand seems to be working a treat at the moment.

“He’s working and moving well, eating well and looks great.”

Bobbin has no flat aims with Schabau, instead working to get the winner of more than $400,000 qualified for hurdle racing.

Bobbin said Schabau showed plenty of enthusiasm in his only jumps trial at Warrnambool last month.

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“He came out of that jumps trial with the ears pricked and for the next couple of days, he was bouncing around like a young colt,” Bobbin said.

“If there’s even a small percentage of what he showed on the flat, he’s going to be a horse that will be handy over the obstacles.”

Bobbin has entered Schabau for a 2000m assignment at Flemington as well as the Apsley Cup at Edenhope.

He said either race would serve to improve Schabau’s fitness base leading up to his jumps debut.

“He had a hurdle trial at Warrnambool and did a really good job so he’ll be having a spin around at either Flemington or Edenhope this weekend with a view to having another hurdle trial next week,” Bobbin said.

“Wherever he goes, he’ll be just going for a spin this weekend with a view to qualifying him for the jumps racing in the coming months.”

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Originally published as One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Schabau on comeback trail for new trainer Andrew Bobbin