In a change from his usual preparation, million-dollar earner Rudy has had two barrier trials ahead of his return to racing at Doomben.
Rudy will be having his 50th race start in Saturday’s Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m).
Trainer Helen Page has usually followed the same routine of giving him one trial or a jump-out which has worked out well with Rudy’s 10 first-up attempts including a win and four minor placings.
This time around, Page felt Rudy needed two trials to get ready for a staying campaign.
Rudy won Gold Coast trials on October 31 and November 13 with Page pleased with how well he hit the line both times.
“He won them both in good style and in particular the second one,” Page said.
“He has been so good for us and won at least one race every season. Let’s hope he can keep it going.”
Rudy is not a Magic Millions horse having been bred by his owner, Chinchilla doctor Tom Clarke.
But Page is hoping he can get a wild card into the Magic Millions Trophy (the renamed Stayers Cup) (2200m) on January 13.
Rudy would have to win the wild card race, the Shoot Out Quality at Doomben on December 31, to make the field.
Rudy was once regarded as a miler having won the Group Two Villiers earlier in his career and run fourth in the Doncaster the following autumn.
But he as has got older he has proved adept at middle distances, winning the Group Three Tatts Cup (2200m) at his last start before a spell.
That win capped an autumn/winter campaign which included a third in the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) second in the Group Two O’Shea Stakes (2200m) and fifth in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2200m).
Those efforts took his prize money to just over $1 million.
“All those races were at Doomben and he does like the track. It is a hard race on Saturday and he should race well,” Page said.
