Rubira has earned a break with another tough win in the Diamond Creek Classic, gaining his first Group One victory after just a handful of starts.
In a lively contest which displayed the subtle skills of driver Blair Orange as much as the qualities of a classy and game youngster, Rubira completed an unbeaten first campaign and his sights will now be set at similar juvenile features later in the year.
“The plan at the moment is to give him a break.” Nathan said
“He’s done a great job and there is a lot of racing coming up in the second half if the year so it may be the best time for spell. I expect he will be going on from here. He seems to step up”
The Welcome Stakes on May 10 and the,less likely, the Sapling Stakes in June would probably have been in contention and no doubt if he bounces out of the box this week the Welcome, a signarture race for Purdon Racing could still be in contention.However with a Group One on the record page the paddock probably beckons.
Rubira had to survive a determined challenge from Always Dreaming in the straight the latter, whom Nathan labelled as the horse to beat going into the race, having enjoyed a nice trail while Rubira had to work to the front from the back with with a round to go then fight off attacks down the back and leading to the turn.
Blair always looked cool calm and collected based no doubt on his previous win in the Kindergarten Stakes. But Always Dreaming got very close and lodged a disallowed protest on the short margin.
While there is always some reserve about a Group 1 result early the season the impressive thing about Rubira’s win was how for a horse of his experience he was able to sprint twice in the race and hold off such a talented rival.
Rubira returns Kennard Syndicates to the Group 1 owners list one they have graced many times over the years. This one, generally referred to as the “Spankem” syndica because its original version raced that near champion along with a number of other high class horses. The Coles replaced Jim and Ann Gibbs when they retired from yearling buying. Gary and Kerrie Woodham and Ken and Karen Breckon were founding members.
As Rubira heads out for a break, ANYTHING GOES returns to the stable fairly targeted at the New Zealand Cup this year after last year’s admittedly ambitious aim misfired. Inspite of the patience shown him he still showed signs of immaturity when the Cup programme pressure went on and the decision was made to back off and and allow him to mature in his own time.
“He is coming in fairly well out of the spelling paddock so it will take some time to have him ready to race but there is not a lot for him before the spring anyway” Nathan said.
Anything Goes goes for gold on this campaign and it will be disappointing for all concerned if he doesn’t live up to the potential Nathan and Mark think he has.
They are not often wrong.
PIC; Anything Goes. His year?