Jabez Johnstone, an apprentice jockey, has been on a significant upward trajectory since transferring from Tasmania to the Ciaron Maher stable on the mainland.
Having already landed his first Stakes race victory earlier in the month, Johnstone added the Group 3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) to his credentials on Wednesday, piloting Ziryab to an effortless all-the-way win.
A ride in the coveted Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday now looms for Johnstone aboard Kings Valley, and he is also booked to ride Mr Monaco in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Ziryab ($5) managed to hold off the determined $3 favourite Darkbonee by a neck, with Sunset Park ($14) a short-neck behind in third.
“I’m so grateful to Ciaron and the whole team,” Johnstone expressed.
“I’ve been here around five months and to win two Group 3’s and have a Group 1 ride, it’s a real moment.
“And the way Kings Valley is going, he’s a real chance in the Caulfield Cup.”
Ciaron Maher, the trainer, was full of praise for Johnstone’s handling of Ziryab, an English-bred gelding by Kingman, who secured his second successive victory following his win at Mornington last month.
Maher had advised Johnstone not to go too slow on the gelding, and the apprentice delivered.
“His best asset is his sectionals,” Maher stated. “I was a little bit worried around the top that he had backed it off a little too much, but he did pick it up early.
“The horse has a crack, and he showed that last start and again today.
“Jabez is going well and it’s good to see him win another good race after he won The Bart Cummings for us and now, he’s won a Coongy.
“Hopefully he can keep it rolling into a Caulfield Cup as he’s certainly got a live chance.”
Ziryab’s form has been inconsistent since arriving from the UK, despite winning on his Australian debut at Cranbourne.
The gelding finished third in the Warrnambool Cup last year but struggled to recapture that form, including a stint in Tasmania during the Summer Carnival earlier in the year.
“The owners have had to be patient,” Maher said. “There have been a few preparations where they were like ‘what are you doing’, but he’s furnished now and you can see that he’s happy.”
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