Rubric Adds Another Dimension to 3YO Spring Features
- Wednesday, 06 September 1313 00:00
Stakes-bound three-year-old Rubric showed he has the scope to prove highly competitive in whatever race he contests during the spring carnival after scoring a convincing win in the Centigne 3YO C3 Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.
The superbly bred colt performed creditably at stakes level last campaign before being sent to the spelling paddock by his trainer Clarry Conners after attempting to jump the inside running rail in the G1 Sires' Produce Stakes which was eventually won by the up-and-coming Excites.
Rubric had first stamped his class on debut when running fourth to Casino Prince, Empire's Choice and My Middi in the G3 Skyline Stakes on March 18 and then backed it up two weeks later with an excellent effort in the G2 Pago Pago Stakes when finishing third behind Tarleton and Empire's Choice, yet again.
Closely related to colossal Melbourne Cup winning mare Empire Rose, the equally statuesque Empire's Choice has franked that form so far this spring and has been a firmer in Caulfield Guineas markets - a sound endorsement for the spring prospects of Rubric.
On Tuesday, Rubric began smartly to assume a position outside the leader Master Mood and soon after straightening was given his head by jockey Hugh Bowman and sprinted sharply to record a promising 2 lengths margin over Align filly Linear with Master Mood fighting on gamely for third.
"He's a lovely horse," commented a sombre Clarry Conners, obviously still coming to terms with the tragic death on Tuesday morning of his Golden Slipper heroine Belle Du Jour.
"I've always had a big opinion of him so it's nice to see him win today."
"I think he has a real big future."
Bowman, who has been in terrific form of late, echoed the sentiments of Conners and predicted the youngster had a bright future.
"He just had too much of a class edge on them today," said Bowman.
"He'll go on to bigger and better things, that's for sure."
Bred by NSW's Twin Palms Stud, Rubric certainly has the pedigree to make an impact at stakes level as his father is none other than Redoute's Choice, the hottest sire in Australia, whilst his mother is the 1996 William Crockett and McNeil Stakes' winning mare Valourina.
By Snippets from Bravery, winner of the 1988 Queensland Derby and Queensland Oaks, Valourina, a half-sister to multiple group winning grey Brave Prince, has also produced group winners Media and Timbourina rendering Rubric a half-brother to those fillies.
She is also the mother of an unnamed yearling colt by Darley's Elusive Quality, the sire of Smarty Jones.
Pics - Sportpix
