Rudy will hope to maintain his excellent second-up record at Eagle Farm
Bad luck at his last start could help the classy Rudy maintain his excellent second-up record at Eagle Farm.
Rudy will line up in Saturday’s Listed Recognition Stakes (1400m) as the second topweight with 59.5kg.
At his most recent start Rudy carried 61.5kg when he came from near last to run fifth, less than a length from the winner Frespanol, in an open handicap at the Sunshine Coast.
The effort was all the better because Rudy was pushed deep off the track at the 600m and became unbalanced.
Rudy meets many of his rivals from the Sunshine Coast on Saturday but two kilograms better off at the weights.
The Sunshine Coast race was transferred from Doomben after being washed out and was used by most of the runners as their summer launching pad.
Trainer Helen Page said in a strange twist the interference at his last start had worked to Rudy’s advantage.
“The way the weights have panned out, not running a place last time might have helped us. Of course having a Group performer like Hopfgarten in the field has also helped with out with the weight,” Page said.
“Rudy’s effort to finish so close was very good and the Sunshine Coast is a tough track for horses with big weights.”
She said Rudy had done well since his first-up run and did go well second-up.
Rudy is headed towards the Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on December 17 and the Bernborough Stakes at Eagle Farm on December 31.
“He has won a Villiers and raced well on several other occasions at the Randwick 1600 metres. At this stage we are on course for those two races,” Page said.
“There is a $100,000 bonus if you can win those two races so it is worthwhile.”
Damian Browne rode Rudy at his last start but he will be in New Zealand for a wedding on Saturday.
It has caused a reshuffle of jockeys for the race with Jim Byrne, who was on Frespanol at his last start win, to ride Rudy.
Robbie Fradd will take over on Frespanol while another regular Browne ride, Hopfgarten, will be ridden by Larry Cassidy.
“Jim has been riding very well and he should suit Rudy,” Page said.
