Jockey Hugh Bowman will test Rudy as a possible Queensland Derby mount when he takes over the reins of the three year old in the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Hugh Bowman will be the new jockey on Rudy in the Grand Prix Stakes. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Bowman who is in the middle of a three month riding stint in Hong Kong is flying back for the Doomben 10,000 meeting where he has four rides on the nine race program.
He rides Hot Snitzel for Gerald Ryan in the Group 1 $650,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m) and takes over from Tegan Harrison on Rudy in the Grand Prix Stakes.
The top jockey’s other two rides are Commandare for Laurie Mayfield-Smith in the $50,000 Ambassador Travel BenchMark 90 Handicap (1350m) and Rollout The Carpet in the Group 3 $125,000 Programmed Property Services Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m).
Gold Coast trainer Helen Page was in two minds if to push on to the Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7 but after watching the replay of the Rough Habit Plate several times elected to push towards a start in the Blue Riband Classic.
Rudy was caught wide throughout when fifth to Amexed in the Group 3 $125,000 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 10 when ridden by Harrison and Page says the run was full of merit.
“He was caught three and four deep the whole way with no cover. But he loomed up at the 250 metres to win and the hard run only told in the final stages,” Page told AAP.
“Tegan was a victim of circumstances. It can happen from the 2000-metre start at Doomben.
“If they get you wide on the first corner you can stay there for the race.”
Page has been stepping Rudy gradually up in distance and on his latest effort she has no doubt that he will handle the 2400m of the Derby.
The Grand Prix Stakes is shaping up as a rerun of the Rough Habit Plate with the first five placegetters, Amexed, Telepathic, Glorious Lad, Vilanova and Rudy, all lining up again.
The Tony Gollan trained Amexed heads the Grand Prix Stakes market order at $3.90 with Ladbrokes.com.au just ahead of New Zealand filly Telepathic at $4.20 with fellow Kiwi three year old Glorious Lad at $6.50.
Melbourne colt Pinstripe Lane is next in the betting at $7.50 just ahead of the John O’Shea trained Auberge ($8) who comes to Brisbane after a seven lengths win in a 2400m Class 1 at Kembla Grange on April 29 while Rudy has been marked an $8.50 chance.
