Villiers Stakes winner Rudy is gearing up for a return trip to Sydney with the Group 1 $1m The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 3 his main Spring Carnival goal.

Rudy is on track for a start in The Star Epsom at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Rudy had his first serious hit out this preparation when he led all of the way to win a 1000m trail at the Gold Coast today and will have a run at Doomben over 1350m on August 22 before heading to Sydney.

“He pulled up very well. There was no pace in the trial and he got left in front so it was a really good effort,” trainer Helen Page told AAP.

“Rudy will run at Doomben over 1350 metres on August 22. I usually start him first-up in something shorter and he will get plenty of weight.”

“But it fits in well with our program.”

Page has selected the Group 2 $175,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5 and the Group 2 $200,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12 as lead up runs for the Epsom.

Rudy has already stamped his mark in Sydney with a barnstorming win in the 2014 Group 2 $175,000 Inglis Villiers (1600m) at Randwick  over the Summer and returned in the Autumn to run fourth to Kermadec in the Group 1 $3m The Star 150th Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.

Rudy had one more run before he was sent for a break but failed to beat a runner home when fourteenth to Leebaz in the Group 2 $358,000 Sky Thoroughbred Central A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on April 25.

Gold Coast based jockey Matthew McGuren rode Rudy in his trial and is in line for the Doomben ride on the five year old but Page will be looking for a suitable Sydney rider when she travels South again.

Rudy is a winner of seven races from twenty-three starts and has earned over $600,000 in prizemoney and bonuses for his connections.