Trainer Gerald Ryan believes that Rubick can return to winning form and record a maiden win at Group 1 level when he contests the 2015 The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Rubick has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 The Galaxy at Caulfield this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Rubick started his 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on March 7 and he was well-backed in the lead-up to the race, but he had no luck in running whatsoever and could finish no better than third behind classy mare Miracles Of Life.
Ryan told Racing Ahead that Rubick could have finished much closer to Miracles Of Life if he had received clear running in the Challenge Stakes and he is optimistic about the chances of the Encosta De Lago colt heading into the 2015 The Galaxy this weekend.
“He has done really well and he worked terrific yesterday morning,” Ryan said.
“I am really happy with him and he has come on from his first-up run.
“Being a handicap he meets the winner two kilos better.
“Whether that is enough to turn it around or not I don’t know, but if he had a bit of luck the other day I reckon we would have finished right beside her.
“He is right in the race.”
Rubick was noted for his early speed as a two-year-old, but Ryan has attempted to teach the talented cold to settle as an older horse and he showed that he was capable of taking a sit in the Challenge Stakes.
There looks to be plenty of early speed in The Galaxy field and Ryan said that he would likely instruct jockey Kerrin McEvoy to take a sit on Rubick again when he jumps from barrier four in the Group 1 event this weekend.
“He proved the other day that he doesn’t have to lead,” Ryan said.
“I have been itching to ride him with a sit and even after getting checked, stopped and changing course the other day at Randwick he still quickened and got to the line really well.
“I am looking forward to it.”
Rubick will be having his third straight at the highest level of racing in The Galaxy after finishing fourth in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and 12th in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) last year.
Ryan is chasing his first win in The Galaxy after previously finishing second with Snitzerland in 2013 and Camena in 2001.
