Boom colt Rubick has returned to racing in typically scintillating form at Caulfield Racecourse this afternoon, leading from nearly start to finish in winning the particularly well-contested Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m).
Rubick has beaten a classy field to the line in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jumping from the gates well, Rubick immediately travelled to the fore of the field, settling on the rails inside Overreach before taking up the pace on his lonesome.
Finding the final straight with a clear racing line, the Encosta De Lago colt extended and charged clear of his closest rivals, finishing more than a length in the clear of closest rival Platelet; Overreach running on from third.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy delivered an exceptional ride on Rubick in the 2014 Schillaci Stakes and was quick to praise the training efforts of Gerald Ryan immediately after the race.
“Lovely colt, thrilled to be on him and well done to Gerry and team,” McEvoy said after taking out the 2014 Schillaci Stakes.
“He was given barrier 1 and we were able to control it at 53kgs and it’s good to see a classy colt like this back.
“It’s amazing how these good sprinters often having nice, relaxed attitudes and that’s what he’s got.
“Onwards and upwards, really looking forward to the Coolmore (Stud) Stakes now at Flemington on Derby Day.”
Trainer Gerald Ryan was understandably thrilled with Rubick’s performance in the 2014 Schillaci Stakes and confirmed to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on November 1st remains the major target.
“You wonder whether they’re going from two-year-olds to three-year-olds and he wasn’t taking on three-year-olds he was taking on weight-for-age horses,” Ryan said.
“I’ve been a little bit disappointed by how the horse was going and the way he came up and I would have been a little bit disappointed if he didn’t do that.
“He’ll improve, he’s first-up today, he’s got three weeks to the Coolmore and hopefully he can get a look down the straight in the meantime; you don’t have them screwed right down first-up, you need that bit of improvement left in them.
“He’s the best horse I’ve had since Snitzel.”
Punters who backed Rubick to win the 2014 Schillaci Stakes at generous $4.60 odds at Ladbrokes.com.au and had signed up for a Ladbrokes Card will already have access to their winnings!
2014 Schillaci Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | RUBICK | Gerald Ryan | Kerrin McEvoy | – | 1 | 53kg | $4.60 |
| 2 | 5 | PLATELET | Darren Weir | Ben Melham | 1L | 3 | 56.5kg | $8 |
| 3 | 4 | OVERREACH | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 1.3L | 6 | 56.5kg | $3.40F |
| 4 | 2 | ICONIC | Tony McEvoy | Nicholas Hall | 1.5L | 2 | 58.5kg | $20 |
| 5 | 6 | GREGERS | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Craig Williams | 2.75L | 4 | 56.5kg | $8 |
| 6 | 3 | NOT LISTENIN’TOME | Gary Moore | Damien Oliver | 3.75L | 5 | 58.5kg | $4.40 |
| 7 | 1 | SESSIONS | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 5L | 7 | 58.5kg | $13 |
