Ben takes Marabi mission to the limit

JOCKEY Ben Allen wanted confirmation that he had become a Group 1-winning jockey in Saturday’s Oakleigh Plate.

He had steered Marabi to her seventh win in as many starts in the $750,000 race. But he just wanted to be sure it was real.

“Say it one more time please. It’s unreal. I can’t explain it,” Allen said.

The fact he had hardly eaten in the last fortnight might have had a bearing on his mindset after the Oakleigh Plate.

Allen (pictured) had taken his body to the limit to ride Marabi, shedding weight off an already lean physique to get down to 54kg to keep the ride on the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare.

“I pretty much cut out all food I enjoy eating,” Allen said. “Just fruit and vegetables for the past month, training twice a day. I haven’t been riding much so I could train properly.”

Allen had to give up the ride on the unbeaten mare in the Listed Christmas Handicap on Boxing Day because he couldn’t make 54kg.

He got back on Marabi for the Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley last month and was determined not to relinquish the ride again.

On Saturday, Allen opted to let the Sydney speedster Malkovich lead before sending Marabi to the front at the 250m.

The rider’s timing was perfect. Marabi’s stablemate Away Game ran on hard late but fell a half-length short.

Allen could have the chance at a second Group 1 win in the Newmarket Handicap in a fortnight should Maher and Eustace decide to extend Marabi’s campaign.

“I suppose the pressure builds every start now but it’s a good problem to have,” Maher said.

“Fantastic mare and we’ll just let the dust settle. This was the target and we’ll go from there.”