Gerald Ryan already rates Rubick up with Snitzel as the best colt he has trained and the three-year-old gets his chance to fulfil his Group One destiny in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Rubick’s only defeat in four starts has been his fourth in the Blue Diamond Stakes won by Earthquake who will be among his rivals in Saturday’s 1200m sprint at Flemington.
His early spring campaign was aborted when he was found to have a virus which hit many horses in Sydney but Rubick showed he had suffered no ill effects when he made a winning return against older horses in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1000m) on October 11.
Ryan dismisses the notion Rubick is suspect at 1200 metres.
“People say that but the only time he has run over 1200 was the Blue Diamond and they went really fast in the middle stages of that race which told against him,” Ryan said.
“I thought he was really strong at the end of the Schillaci. He is bright and well and I’m happy where he’s at.”
The trainer has decided not to take Rubick to Flemington for Tuesday’s trackwork session and he will get his first experience of the straight course on race day.
“He will gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning,” Ryan said.
“They either handle the straight track or they don’t. I think he will.”
Rubick’s stablemate Time For War could also be among his opponents.
“There is no decision yet. He could run in the Coolmore or he could go in the tab.co.au against the older horses,” Ryan said.
“Or there is also a sprint on Cup day.”
The Group Two tab.com.au, formerly the Salinger, is also on Saturday and is a possible target for another stablemate, Charlie Boy.
In two spring starts, Time For War has finished fifth in the Roman Consul won by Brazen Beau and second in the Brian Crowley to Kuro.
Both Brazen Beau and Kuro are confirmed Coolmore starters.
