Price-Kent chase TAB Australian Cup with Sabaj

The jockey merry-go-round with suspensions and interstate commitments has seen Beau Mertens again get the ride again on Sabaj in the TAB Australian Cup. 

The Golden Slipper winning co-trainers had last week delivered the bad news to Mertens that Mark Zahra would take the ride on Sabaj in the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday. 

However, hours later Zahra was outed at the Caulfield Heath meeting on Wednesday on a careless riding charge and copped a further ban on Saturday for a whip breach that will cost him the mount on Tentyris in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 4. 

"If only I had waited, I would have been a good bloke, instead I've covered myself in shame," Price said. 

"I had to put my arm around Beau again as there are riders going left right and centre." 

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Sabaj enters the TAB Australian Cup coming off a last start fourth in the Group 1 Sharp EIT All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 7. 

Ahead of him were TAB Australian Cup opponents Tom Kitten and Pride Of Jenni while also joining the fray will be Birdman, a last start winner of the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on March 14. 

Price said the stable had been keen to try Sabaj at 2000 metres. 

"He's a big clean-winded horse and we've been working him for 2000 metres," Price said. 

"I think he'll show up, but he's got to be good enough on the day. He's a nice, sound horse, and he seems to go on all types of ground. 

"If Jenni turns up, she will be unbeatable and Birdman, he's coming through the 1800-metre race. 

"It's a competitive race, he likes Flemington. It will be a small field, he's a relaxed horse, so he should travel good." 

Sabaj had a hiccup prior to the All-Star Mile which resulted in Price and Kent Jnr taking a different path to the TAB Australian Cup. 

Originally, they were intending to start Sabaj in the Group 2 TAB Blamey Stakes (1600m) on February 28 and then head to the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield, giving the gelding a thorough grounding for his upcoming assignment. 

"My question on the horse starting in the Australian Cup is he has to be good enough on the day to win a 2000-metre weight-for-age race," Price said. 

"I do think it's a better option than the Doncaster and it's staring us in the face, so we might as well try it." 

Price said Sabaj could head north following Saturday for the tail end of the Sydney Carnival or races in Brisbane during the Queensland Carnival.