Jabali went a long way to securing a spot on the Eliza Park International roster with a Group 2 victory in the Queensland Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.

The Mick Price trained colt had been runner-up in last year’s G1 Blue Diamond Stakes but didn’t capitalise during spring and autumn preps in Melbourne.  “It’s a great result – he should have won before now,” stable manager Matt Finn said.  “He could push on to the Gold Coast in a fortnight.”

That race is the LR Daybreak Lover Stakes (1800m) on June 20.

Winning jockey Jim Byrne was impressed at Doomben.  “He’s a big bull and felt aggressive but he relaxed in the run.  I was able to switch him off with the good tempo up front.”

Jabali (3c Exceed And Excel – Balalaika by King Of Kings) was bred by Kornong Stud’s Noel Calvert and graduated from the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for $220,000.  His stakes-placed dam Balalaika is a daughter of Group 2 winner Love of Mary and she is a sister to world champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom.

Eliza Park International purchased a controlling interest in Jabali last year.  “I have a big opinion of him,” Price said after EPI confirmed he would continue to train the colt.  “He has a ton of natural ability.”

Jabali is a son of Darley champion Exceed And Excel and he can mature into an exciting stallion prospect for Eliza Park International in 2015-16.  “I will bring him back and hopefully win a Group 1 in the Toorak or Emirates Stakes,” Price added.  “They’re the sort of races we will target as a four-year-old.”

JABALI