A successful pre-race plan to enable Sabres to take full advantage of his fitness, proved decisive in $100,000 Nye At MV (1600m) at Moonee Valley tonight.

Trainer Anthony Freedman and jockey Dwayne Dunn set out to lead and have the three-year-old working hard before the turn.

The theory was to take the sting out of opponents with the tough colt by Elusive Quality who was having his seventh run at this campaign.

The Darley-owned galloper, from barrier two, took the desired position but rival jockey Michael Rodd gave the conspirators more than they bargained.

Rodd settled the odds on Brambles on the outside of Sabres and poured pressure on for the first 400m.

The pace relented mid-race but was still quick enough to have those at the back being pushed along.

Before the home turn, Dunn dug up on Sabres and found a length on Brambles.

The other runners, headed by Horacio, were under pressure.

Sabres held his opponents to the line and defeated Brambles with Zuma Rock, taking the short course along the fence, gaining third.

The win gave Dunn the second leg of a winning double.

He won earlier in the night aboard Unchain My Heart for David Hayes, a trainer with whom he had great success when both were based in Hong Kong.

The double brought Dunn level with Craig Newitt as equal Moonee Valley leading  jockey on 10 wins for the season.

Sabres win was also the first leg of a double for Freedman and Darley who combined to win the last race with Tahitian Black.

That son of Lonhro won the $50,000 72 Hcp (1200m) giving apprentice Jake Noonan a share of the riding honours with Dunn.

Noonan won earlier in the night with a perfect ride on Champagne Love.

Tahitian Black, wearing blinkers and ear muffs for the first time, came from off the pace and stuck on too well.

Adaptor led and held on for second while Adams Bell (third) and Le Ramas (fourth) ran on well.

Going into tomorrow’s Caulfield meet the Freedman yard is running hot.

It has won seven races from 18 starters in the past week.