MAKTOOB’S RATING QUANDARY

Flemington trainer Simon Zahra has a problem with handy import Maktoob.

Maktoob’s handicap rating has made last year’s Listed Sale Cup winner difficult to place.

Maktoob is currently rated 90, which puts him between regular races run at Benchmark 84 level and Benchmark 100 grade. Melbourne sometimes hosts Benchmark 90 contests but those are not as plentiful as races at the other levels. “He’s in that middle tier rated 90, he’s between the Benchmark 84 or 100 races, so what do you do?” Zahra said. “Do you go to a (Benchmark) 84 and carry the weight or do you go to a (Benchmark 100) race and try him out?

“The races haven’t really dropped off yet either. There’s a lack of races for him in his right grade at the moment. “

Zahra will run Maktoob at Benchmark 84 level in Saturday’s BlueBlood Thoroughbred Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

Maktoob’s rating compelled him to receive a 63kg handicap but Zahra decided to engage apprentice Ryan Houston to give the five-year-old 3kg of weight relief.

Maktoob has performed soundly in two autumn runs but drawing barrier 14 did not help his chances of another Caulfield win.

“He’s going well but he’s weighted up to his best,” Zahra said. “He just needs a few more favours.”

Zahra said he had never had any specific expectations for Maktoob since the gelding arrived form the UK. He said his main aim was to pick up another win before preparing the five-time winner for another spring campaign.

“I had no expectations of him and he went through his grades quickly, but we know there’s nowhere to hide from here on in,” Zahra said. “Come the spring time, he can go and run in those country races again.

“It’s a matter of trying to get a win in him, freshen him up and bring him back for the spring.”

Maktoob has remained at $19 throughout betting on Saturday’s $130,000 race, while his stablemate Duke Of Hastings was a $34 chance to win the Darren Gauci Handicap (2000m). However, Zahra said Duke Of Hastings ran on well enough at the end of his second-up run at Caulfield to warrant consideration.

“I can’t believe the price Duke Of Hastings is. He’s the outsider of the field,” Zahra said. “On his last run the other day, if he gets half a crack at them, he’ll run a super race.”