Oakleigh Plate: Ben Allen’s toil and sacrifice rewarded with Group 1 win on Marabi

Winning the Oakleigh Plate on rising sprinter Marabi was truly deserved for Ben Allen after giving up his favourite foods for the past month.

Ben Allen stands tall in the irons after saluting in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate aboard Marabi. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Jockey Ben Allen wanted confirmation that he had become a Group 1-winning jockey in Saturday’s Oakleigh Plate.

He had steered Marabi to her seventh win in as many starts in the $750,000 race.

But he just wanted to be sure it was real.

“Say it one more time please. It’s unreal. I can’t explain it,” Allen said.

The fact Allen had hardly eaten in the last fortnight might have had a bearing on his mindset after the Oakleigh Plate.

Allen had taken his body to the limit to ride Marabi, shedding weight off an already lean physique to get down to 54kg to keep the ride on the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare.

BEN ALLEN YOU ARE NOW A GROUP 1 WINNER 🙌🙌

He takes out the Oakleigh Plate on Marabi!@cmaherracing & @eustacedjpic.twitter.com/eGfbHyBJK9

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 26, 2022

“I pretty much cut out all food I enjoy eating,” Allen said.

“Just fruit and vegetables for the past month, training twice a day.

“I haven’t been riding much so I could train properly.”

Allen knew what it was like to miss the ride on Marabi because of his weight.

He had to give up the ride on the unbeaten mare in the Listed Christmas Handicap on Boxing Day because he couldn’t make 54kg.

Allen got back on Marabi for her win in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley last month.

He was determined not to relinquish the ride on the brilliant five-year-old in the Oakleigh Plate.

The jockey moved noted trainer Ron Johnson into his house to prepare his meals and train him twice a day to strip weight while former Group 1-winning jockey James Winks helped Allen with the mental side of his battle to ride in the Oakleigh Plate.

Marabi was too slick for her rivals in the Oakleigh Plate. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“I’m going to say a big thanks to Ron Johnson, he’s stuck with me for the past month, keeping a lock on the fridge, training me twice a day,” Allen said.

“Big thanks to James Winks, just kept me mentally sane. It’s a tough game and it’s good to have someone like him.”

Making the weight only part of Allen’s battle.

The jockey still had to execute the perfect ride on a tricky Caulfield track to notch his maiden Group 1 win.

Allen opted to let the Sydney speedster Malkovich lead before sending Marabi to the front at the 250m.

The rider’s timing was perfect. Marabi’s stablemate Away Game ran on hard late but fell a half-length short.

Allen could have the chance at a second Group 1 win in the Newmarket Handicap in a fortnight should Maher and Eustace decide to extend Marabi’s campaign.

“I suppose the pressure builds every start now but it’s a good problem to have,” Maher said.

“Fantastic mare and we’ll just let the dust settle.

“This was the target and we’ll go from there.”

Originally published as Oakleigh Plate: Ben Allen’s toil and sacrifice rewarded with Group 1 win on Marabi