Trainer Gerald Ryan has uncovered another stable star at today’s Rosehill barrier trials and will target the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22 with two year old Rubick.
Trainer Gerald Ryan will target the Blue Diamond Stakes with Rubick. Photo by Daniel Costello.
The unraced colt by Encosta De Lago out of Sliding Cube won the 900m trial by seven lengths in the smart time of 52.5s and immediately created a huge impression.
Ryan will now map out a program leading up to the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield and described Rubick as “the best horse I’ve had since Snitzel.”
Snitzel was the flag bearer for the Ryan stable in 2005 and 2006 winning the Group 1 $350,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in February, 2006 before being beaten half a length by Takeover Target in the Group 1 $1m Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington at his next start.
Snitzel was rated one of the top two year olds of his year and started favourite for the 2005 Group 1 $3m AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill but was beaten just over seven lengths when twelfth to Stratum.
Ryan is in line for a big pay day at the Gold Coast on Saturday when he saddles up Charlie Boy in the $1m Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m).
Charlie Boy will be tackling the 1400m first up but jockey Michael Rodd can’t see that as a problem after the three year old finished third in a recent 1050m Randwick barrier trial.
“I can’t see 1400 being an issue first-up,” Rodd told TVN.
“They’ll go pretty quick, especially in this race.”
Rodd was pleased with the way Charlie Boy finished the trial off and said with his share of luck will be hard to beat at the Gold Coast.
“He sat back and hit the line really good in what obviously was a pretty hot trial,” Rodd said.
“I’m really happy with him.
“He does need room; when he won in the Danehill, he didn’t look like he was going to do anything until he got back to the inside where there was no horses around him and then he really hit the line strongly.
“He has a lot of class, but be just needs a bit of galloping room to do his best.”
Rodd and Charlie Boy combined to win the Group 2 $220,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 7 during the Melbourne Spring Carnival last year.
