Trainer Gerald Ryan has revealed that he would be happy for speedy sprinter Rubick to sit behind the leaders in the early stages of the 2015 Challenge Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Rubick is set to start the 2015 Challenge Stakes as a clear favourite. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Rubick has shown blistering speed since he made his first public appearance when he won a barrier trial by seven and a half lengths at Rosehill Gardens on January 7 and he has been ridden as an on-pacer in all of his previous race starts, but Ryan told Racing Ahead this morning that the Encosta De Lago colt has returned for his autumn campaign as a far more settled horse.
Ryan said that Rubick does possess an explosive turn-of-foot when he is settled behind horses and he believes that the Challenge Stakes, which is packed full of speed, could be the perfect race in which to change the tactics of the colt.
“He is going really good,” Ryan said.
“He looks well, he is a lot more settled this time and when Brenton rode him in a trial at Randwick he could have got way back in the field if he wanted to.
“There is lot of speed in the race and we might be able to ride him to take a sit, which we have been wanting to do for a long time.
“When he sits behind horses here at home he can let down really quick and put them to the sword in two strides.
“It might be a nice chance to try it from where he is drawn and the speed that is drawn around him.
“If you go forward first-up over 1000 metres and run 100 miles an hour you are going to be found wanting in the end and if anything else is prepared to take it up we will be prepared to take a sit on them.”
Rubick will be defending an unbeaten first-up record in the Challenge Stakes, after previously taking out the Iphone App Plate (1000m) and Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m), and he will return to Group 1 racing for The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 after running in the Challenge Stakes this weekend.
The talented three-year-old is currently available at 2015 Challenge Stakes odds of $3 and is a clear favourite with Ladbrokes from talented mare Miracles Of Life ($5.50), Godolphin sprinter Knoydart ($6), last year’s winner Villa Verde ($8.50), Jason Coyle-trained Va Pensiero ($9.50), Golden Slipper winner Mossfun ($9.50) and veteran sprinter Rain Affair ($9.50).
