Trainer Helen Page has revealed that Rudy is likely to be sent to Sydney for the 2014 Villiers Stakes at Royal Randwick on December 13 if he performs strongly in the Recognition Stakes at Doomben this weekend.
Rudy has the chance to record a maiden win at black type level in the 2014 Recognition Stakes at Doomben this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Rudy was one of the most consistent three-year-old performers during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and he returned to racing with close seconds in both the QANTAC Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on October 18 and the Padua College Handicap (1350m) at the same venue on November 1.
Page told Racing Queensland that she does not want to give Rudy a particularly taxing campaign ahead of the 2015 Sydney Autumn and Brisbane Winter Carnivals, but said that she would like to give the Red Dazzler gelding an opportunity in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) if he is able to return to winning form in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1630m) at Doomben tomorrow.
“Both his runs back were very good and he was a little unlucky first-up,” Page said.
“He’s only having a light preparation this campaign, but if he wins or runs well in the Recognition we’ll send him down for the Villiers.
“I’m very happy with his form but I don’t want to overdo things with him so we’ll see how he goes on Saturday before deciding about the Villiers.”
Rudy made his racing debut in June last year and he was sent to the spelling paddock after recording dominant wins in his second and third race starts.
The gelding returned to racing in November and stamped himself as a horse to watch with a win over a strong field in the Hardy Brothers Jewellers Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on November 30, but was unable to record a maiden win at black type level in the Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m) on December 14 and the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben on December 28.
Rudy started his 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign with back-to-back wins at Doomben and produced credible performances in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on April 26, the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 10 and the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at the same venue on May 24, but failed to run out the trip strongly in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Rudy is currently available at 2014 Recognition Stakes odds of $2.70 and is a clear favourite with Ladbrokes Australia from Hopfgarten ($5), Grayson Square ($7) and Lady Echelon ($8.50).
