Victorian jockey Billy Egan has guided the Patrick Payne-trained Rubisaki to an impressive win in the $1 million Inglis Sprint-3YOs at Warwick Farm but he won’t be hanging around to celebrate.
Just hours after riding at Sydney’s Wednesday meeting, the state-hopping hoop will be on a flight back to Melbourne where he has one ride, Keymaster, at the Sandown twilight program.
But the only thing on Egan’s mind was getting the best out of $3.30 favourite Rubisaki, who settled midfield and powered home inside runners to score a clear-cut 1-1/2 length win.
Rari ($14) battled on for second with True Detective ($4.80) another half-neck away.
Egan praised Payne’s management of the three-year-old, who appreciates having her runs spaced, and said the 1200-metre race was run to her liking.
“She was really suited to the speed and the drop back in distance. The little freshen up and the travel up here really brought her on so credit to Paddy,” Egan said.
Egan even had time to give Rubisaki a congratulatory slap on the shoulder as she passed the post and said the filly was all heart.
“She is an absolute sweetheart and she gives you everything she’s got so she deserved it,” he said.
A former Group One-winning jockey and the brother of Melbourne Cup winner Michelle, Victorian-based Payne also made the trip to Sydney for the win, which was Rubisaki’s fifth from seven starts.
Payne admitted he was unsure if the filly could measure up against the likes of stakes winner True Detective but said Rubisaki was a competitor.
“She’s got good ability. I wasn’t sure if she was quite up to the class but her attitude just carries her a long way,” Payne said.
Part-owner Joe O’Neill has flagged the Group One Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick two weeks from Saturday as a possible option for Rubisaki if the tracks remain wet.
