Two of Queensland’s best-performed horses, Rudy and Teronado, will ramp up their spring preparations when they run against each other in a 1000m barrier trial at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
The winner of the Group Two Villiers in December, Rudy, ran fourth in the Doncaster Mile in April and is being aimed at another 1600m-handicap at Randwick, the Group One Epsom, in October.
Trainer Helen Page has been pleased with Rudy who came back into her stables in late June.
“He will trial on Tuesday and then we plan to push on to a 1350 metre race at Doomben on August 22,” Page said.
“After that we will work out exactly how we will proceed to the Epsom.”
Teronado will be having his second trial since recovering from a career-threatening injury.
The Group One placegetter wasn’t knocked about when unplaced in a Gold Coast trial two weeks ago and he has pleased trainer Bruce Hill since.
Teronado was found to have a serious injury to his off hind leg after he tailed off last in the Group One George Main Stakes at Randwick on September 20 last year.
He showed his potential when third in the 2014 Rosehill Guineas won by Criterion.
Owner Steve Foster said provided Teronado came through Tuesday’s trial well he would possibly have two Brisbane starts at 1200m and 1350m in the next month.
“If things go OK we might take him back to Sydney for another crack at the George Main Stakes,” he said.
Foster said Glen Colless would have the Brisbane rides on Teronado with a decision yet to be made about a jockey for interstate assignments.
