Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Trainer Patrick Payne is keen to set exciting filly Rubisaki for The Golden Eagle in the spring but before that he’s confident she can wind up an unblemished prep with a sixth straight victory at Randwick on Saturday.

The three-year-old will be the shortest priced favourite at Randwick, she opened $1.60, in the Group 3 $140,000 Mostyn Copper JHB Carr Stakes (1400m).

It’s an important precursor to a race like the Golden Eagle over 1500m for Rubisaki, who has been beaten only twice in nine starts with her last defeat coming in a mile event at Flemington last July.

“In the mile race she had her chance but she’ll run 1500m,’’ Payne saud.

“I just think she was always a bit immature and this time around she has come back more seasoned.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s better as a four and five-year-old.

“We all know when the fillies turn four it’s pretty deep water for them so racing against her own age group would be the best stepping stone for her.”

Rubisaki has been staying at John Bateman’s stables at Goulburn since her brilliant Group 3 win at Randwick two weeks ago and Payne said she’s held her condition well for what will be a test given she's had at least a month between runs into every start since resuming at the end of November.

Rubisaki wins at Randwick on April 4

Under the conditions of the Carr Stakes, Rubisaki will carry just 57kg despite owning a benchmark that is 10 points superior to the next best (top weight La Tene) and Payne speaks bullishly about her chances.

“If we’d had problems with her or she’d started training off I’d be nervous but she’s very easy to train and has a great attitude,’’ he said.

“All you need to do is get her to the races fit and well and she will do the rest for us.

“She’s been like that from day one. She has that unbelievable attitude where she takes a tight gap and pins her ears back and try to beat the other horses. In her gallops she’s trying to beat the others all the time.

“I just explained to John her normal training procedure and he’s adapted that to the environment. She looks like she’s in great order.”

Nash Rawiller retains the ride on Rubisaki on Saturday but the conditions will be significantly different to the heavy ground she sailed through back on April 4.

She clocked the day’s fastest last 200m of 11.97 (Punter's Intelligence) in the PJ Bell and after settling near last early she ran 35.07 for her final 600m which was three lengths better than her rivals.

Payne, again, is backing her ability when it comes to track condition and says her sprint will be just as effective if the track is close to good as it will probably be come Saturday.

“I think she’s advantaged on soft ground because she can handle it so well where others don’t,’’ he said.

“But she’s not a plugger, she still has a very good turn of foot on top of the ground.’’

Rubisaki is a $15 chance in TAB’s all-in market for The Golden Eagle, scheduled for October 31.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's All Aged Stakes meeting at Royal Randwick