Pieces of the Puzzle

PIECES OF THE PUZZLE 
The G1 Coolmore Stud S. for 3-year-olds has developed a reputation as a stallion-making race, and the partnership of Stallion Racing, Jadeskye, Teeley Assets, Werrett Bloodstock and Coolmore certainly have a sire prospect to boast of in J“TDN Rising Star” J Rubick (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}). The easiest of debut winners Jan. 25, Rubick added the G3 Blue Diamond prelude two weeks later, after which Coolmore got in on the action, buying a share in the colt. Rubick suffered his first, and thus far only, defeat at the hands of Earthquake (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the G1 Blue Diamond S. a further two weeks later, and was shelved for the season thereafter. His sophomore debut was delayed by a virus, but Rubick certainly made it worth the wait for his connections when he zipped home in the G2 Schillaci S. over 1000 meters Oct. 11. If there is a chink in Rubick’s armor it is that he was beaten in his lone try over this distance, but trainer Gerald Ryan seemed pleased with Rubick’s first taste of the Flemington straight last Friday. “He changed stride as he hit the course proper but unlike most horses he didn’t deviate,” Ryan told Racenet.com.au. “He ran his last 600 meters in :34.67 seconds, and his last 400 in :23.02, which was faster than any of the official jumpouts.” 

Rubick retains the services of his Schillaci partner Kerrin McEvoy, who has ridden Earthquake in her last five outings and was forced to choose between the two after the filly won the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. on the Schillaci card. Earthquake gets the services of James McDonald. Rubick was not handed any favors when drawing the rail, but McEvoy doesn’t appear flustered. 

“His draw isn’t ideal but they start a few meters off the fence,” McEvoy told Racenet.com.au. “He’s got a lot of natural speed and it’ll take a fast one to cross him, but if one wants to go mad it won’t bother me because I don’t think he has to lead. I’d say we’ll be able to move further away from the fence if that’s what we want to do.” 

On his decision to stick with Rubick, McEvoy–who won this race aboard Sepoy (Aus) (Elusive Quality) in 2011–added, “I hadn’t ridden him in a race until last start and he gave me the feel of a very good horse.” 

Both Rubick and Earthquake will have to be at their best to upend $3.20 favorite Rich Enuff (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}). After breaking his maiden at the listed level Aug. 23, the chestnut added victories in the G2 Danehill S. over this track and trip Sept. 13 and the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude two weeks later before finishing second in the main event, the G1 Caulfield Guineas, Oct. 11. Arrowfield and Pinecliff Racing’s Scissor Kick (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) looks like value at $14.00 off a pair of runner-up efforts after torrid trips in the G1 Golden Rose S. Sept. 13 and G2 Stan Fox S. two weeks later.