Can Rubick Justify Favouritism in the 2014 Blue Diamond Stakes?

February 20, 2014

Can Rubick Justify Favouritism in the 2014 Blue Diamond Stakes?

Exciting colt Rubick will undoubtedly face his biggest test to date in this weekend’s 2014 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m); however trainer Gerald Ryan is confident the classy colt has got what it takes to justify favouritism and overcome a field that includes talented filly Earthquake.

Rubick is in prime position to claim the 2014 Blue Diamond Stakes

Rubick is in prime position to claim the 2014 Blue Diamond Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

Ryan told New Limited earlier this week he could not be more confident in Rubick’s abilities, particularly after a strong piece of work during a gallop at Caulfield on Monday.

“He ran 100m in 50.10 seconds; the last 400m in 22.7 seconds and the last 200m in 10.68 seconds on the steeple grass. It was super work” Ryan said.

“It was not so much the time, but the ease he did it. He looks terrific and he is primed for Saturday and will now just poke around until the race. He’s ready, full stop.”

After revealing earlier in the week a draw of barrier 7 or 8 would be ideal for Rubick in the Blue Diamond Stakes, Ryan was pleased when the Encosta De Lago colt was allocated barrier 10, five inside Earthquake who drew the unfortunate barrier 15.

Having run precisely the same time as Rubick in the Blue Diamond Prelude event for fillies (1100m), Earthquake shot to outright favouritism for the 2014 Blue Diamond Stakes however has drifted substantially since drawing a wide barrier.

“My colt and his filly do look the testing material” Ryan said of the Peter Snowden-trained Exceed And Excel filly.

“They have rune the times and won their races impressively. It does look a race in two in that respect, but two-year-olds can improve sharply and there are a couple in that category.”

Having easily claimed the TAB IPhone App Plate (1000m) by nearly three lengths from Twirl and Valentia on debut in January, Rubick consolidated his position as the country’s leading two-year-old colt when comfortably beating classy opponents JabaliChivalry and Nostradamus in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude event for colts and geldings (1100m) on February 8th.

All signs currently point towards a third successive Rubick triumph, however the exciting colt will need to find a clear path early against such a talented field.

The 2014 Blue Diamond Stakes will be contested with the Caulfield rail out 3 metres and will jump at 5:10p.m Eastern time on Saturday.

For the best odds on all Caulfield events this Saturday, open an account with Ladbrokes.com.au and Bet Better!

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off