Talented three-year-old Sabatini has returned to racing in the best way possible at Caulfield this afternoon; displaying an exceptional turn of foot in the final straight to take out the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m).
Sabatini displayed a keen turn of foot to take out the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell
Jumping from the gates only fairly, jockey Nick Hall settled Sabatini well within the field of seven, allowing early leaders Fontein Ruby and Royal Snitzel to set a noticeably quick tempo away from the barriers and approaching the bend.
Hugging the rails turning onto the final straight, Sabatini steadily spooled up and waited for a gap between runners; finding the fore of the pack with 100m to run an extended to hit the line comfortably in the clear of Royal Snitzel, Fontein Ruby boxing on for third.
Co-trainer Shannon Hope was on hand for Sabatini’s impressive first-up victory in the 2015 Kevin Hayes Stakes, and revealed that while a major target through the Autumn Carnival is yet to be settled upon for the classy filly, the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 7th will definitely come into consideration.
“Very happy with her, she’s come back in good form,”
“She had a really nice jump-out at Cranbourne a fortnight ago and worked really good on Tuesday and really warranted coming here.
“Everyone seemed to rave on about everyone else but we drew in the gun barrier and it was a good ride; sucked up in behind them and build off the back late.
“Nothing is set in concrete – she’s nominated for the Guineas but we’ll on from today and she’s got a lot of improvement in her.”
In taking out the 2015 Kevin Hayes Stakes, Sabatini has now secured three race wins over a seven start career which has also included three minor place finishes.
A standout for his Seymour-based stable over spring, the Street Cry filly won the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) first-up; progressing to a credible third in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11th.
