Rubira looks to have stolen a march on his key rivals landing the ace gate in the Group 3 Redcliffe Derby (9.46) on Saturday but top trainers leave nothing to chance.
“Its the ideal track to have that sort of gate.Its only about 70m to the first turn and we should have the pace to hold the front” Nathan says confidently. But not so confidently he isn’t taking precautions.
Adam Sanderson
Redcliffe is an 800m track with a straight of just 175m which is tighter than Rubira has previously raced on so Nathan employed a little of the Boy Scouts “Be Prepared” motto with an unusual rehearsal.
He headed 40 minutes out of Brisbane on Monday to the country track of Marburg to ready Rubira for the challenge.
A popular provincial spot for harness racing Marburg (pictured) is just 700m round.
“He’s a fairly athletic type but I just wanted to prepare him for something different.We just bowled around on our own but he was fine on the bends and I am expecting the same on Saturday night”
The two keenest rivals are both out of Grant Dixon’s stable which also houses a thrird runner who is a former Purdon stable inhabitant, Melbourne-owned Demon Blue.
Dixon himself will drive the high class Fate Awaits and the bad news for Nathan is that with the ballot out he will start on Rubira’s back. Fourth in the NSW Derby (1.53.9 mr 2400) and winner of the Breeder’s Crown Mile Final in 1.50,Fate Awaits has won over $A400,000 and won on June 7 in a 1.53.2 mr at Albion Park.
Grant’s daughter,Trista, will drive recent Queensland Sun winner, Path to Greatness, from the outside of the front line and he boasts a second in the NSW Derby at long odds after placing in a heat.He won the Nutrien Classic at Melton in April in 1.54.
“They are both fast horses,perhaps a little less proven if they have to work in the race and how it is run will determine that. I am happy with Rubira,he hs gone on from his last run and from the ace he should be hard to beat ”
Punters agree, Rubira shading Fate Awaits in the betting at $2.05.
Nathan won’t have long to celebrate any victory,heading home on the first flight on Sunday.
“Dad is coming over for a few days while I keep a handle on what’s going on at Pukekohe then we will swap over again”
Adam Sanderson will continue to do the honours in the bike,at this stage through the Inter Dominion and Queensland Derby series.
PIC: The straight at Marburg ,a good rehearsal for Redcliffe Saturday