Talented sprinter Rubick has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday and trainer Gerald Ryan believes that the three-year-old is spot on ahead of the star-studded race.
Rubick stamped himself as one of the leading 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes chances when he took out the Schillaci Stakes in impressive fashion. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Rubick missed the start of the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival due to a virus, but he returned to racing with an impressive win at weight-for-age level in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on October 11.
Ryan told Sky Racing HQ that he was thrilled with the performance of Rubick in the Schillaci Stakes and he believes that the Encosta De Lago colt has taken plenty of benefit out of his first-up run and is in excellent condition heading into the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) this weekend.
“He did a good job,” Ryan said.
“He was a three-year-old at weight-for-age having his first start against the older horses and it was good to see Iconic and Platelet run so well in the big race on Friday night.
“He has always shown enough and not many horses are able to have a first-up win in a weight-for-age race as a three-year-old in the spring.
“He is going the right way, he has done well since and he went to Flemington to have a look up the straight on Friday morning and he worked nice.
“Kerrin was very happy with him and the boys were happy with him at Caulfield this morning.
“They reckon he is a spot-on and right where you want to have him.”
Ryan also included promising three-year-old Time For War in the Coolmore Stud Stakes nominations, but the Snitzel colt could be given the opportunity to take on the older sprinters in the Group 2 Tab.com.au Stakes (1200m).
Time For War started his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a slightly disappointing fifth in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m), but he returned to a semblance of his best form with a second place finish behind Kuro in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18.
Ryan believes Time For War is a horse that does not get the credit that he deserves and he is confident that the three-year-old will be competitive whether he contests the Coolmore Stud Stakes or the Tab.com.au Stakes on Saturday.
“We are not sure yet,” Ryan said.
“I will discuss it with Scott whether he goes to the Coolmore or the Tab.Com.
“I have always been a bit keen ever since he was in the winter in Queensland to aim him at that race because he is a three-year-old with no weight on his back.
“He has thrown under the radar all his life and he has won two Group 2’s and run fourth in a Group 1 off a buggered up preparation.
“He is a better horse than he is given credit for and he had 59 and a half the other day and I thought that he stuck to his guns and he has improved off it.
“He travelled down there the other day and he hasn’t missed a beat since he has been there.”
Rubick is currently available at 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes odds of $4.40, while Time For War is priced at a quote of $26 with Ladbrokes Australia.
