Trainer Gerald Ryan is happy that exciting colt Rubick will jump from barrier two in the 2014 Blue Diamond Colts And Geldings Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Gerald Ryan is happy with the condition of Rubick before the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
The Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude will have a capacity field of sixteen runners and Ryan told Racing Ahead this morning that Rubick will have a clear advantage over the likes of Chivalry (barrier 16) and Nostradamus (barrier 18) who will start the race from the outside of the field.
“I think that it is ideal,” Ryan said.
“I always love drawing as close as you can and he has drawn well.
“It is not so much where he has drawn, but where some of the other chances have drawn; a couple of them have drawn wide.
“We are going to be able to bounce and get on the bunny straight away and a few of them are going to have to do a bit of work.
“Hopefully things fall into place for us.”
Rubick showed in his debut barrier trial appearance at Rosehill Gardens on January 7 that he has the speed to lead a race from start to finish, racing away to a seven lengths victory, but in the TAB IPhone App Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on January 25 he sat just off the lead in the early stages of the race.
Ryan deliberately taught Rubick to be able to sit off the speed and the veteran trainer said that the pace of the other runners in the field will decide where the son of Encosta De Lago is positioned during the Blue Diamond Prelude.
“We do that with him at home because if anything gives him a start they will never pick it up,” Ryan said.
“We teach him to settle and teach to follow; it seemed to work pretty good at Randwick.
“It just depends on how much speed there is and how quick they come over from the outside.”
Ryan revealed at the start of the week that Rubick would not have another serious hit out before he contests the Blue Diamond Prelude on Saturday, but jockey Brenton Avdulla cantered the two-year-old at Caulfield this morning and, according to Ryan, was delighted with the feel the classy juvenile gave him.
“Brenton worked him this morning and he said that he felt terrific,” Ryan said.
“He is well and happy and good in himself, so I am very happy.”
Rubick ($1.80) is currently a clear favourite in Blue Diamond Prelude betting markets from Darley colt Mohave ($10), Mark Kavanagh-trained Chivalry, debut winner Nostradamus ($12) and Gai Waterhouse-trained Francesco ($12).
