Following a strong second-up win at Sandown, connections of Saban are weighing up whether the talented gelding’s next assignment should be over 1600m or a testing 2000m trip.
Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Saban made it two from two this prep by taking out Saturday’s Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1800m), having previously saluted over the same distance at the same track in May.
One likely option on the table is a tilt at the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 5, but apprentice Luke Cartwright suggested a step up in distance could also be warranted.
Saban ($5.50) settled back in the run before powering home late to defeat Earlswood ($10) by a neck, with favourite Sayedaty Sadaty ($4.60) further behind in third.
“I knew this fella would be perfect at the trip,” Cartwright said.
“He likes a mile. I don’t know if he sees out 2000 (metres) perfectly, but 1800 metres is his prime distance.
“He cruises up down that hill, then he has a bit of think when he hits the front, but he knew he was going to win that race.
“He loves 1800 metres and the way he’s settling in his races and being an older horse, maybe now is the time to try him over 2000 metres to see if he gets it.”
Moody reflected on Saban’s career progression, noting that maturity had helped the gelding return to his best.
“He won a Listed race as a three-year-old and then probably went missing, but now that he’s matured and strengthen up, he’s starting to hit his straps,” Moody said.
“With Luke’s claim, coming in under the limit weight and striking form, you tend to hold it.
“I think a mile, 1800-metres, is right in his wheelhouse.
He’s probably shown that he is not a genuine stayer, so if he’s got to run in a race like the Winter Championship, we’d certainly look at it.”
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