Rubira wins Group One Diamond Creek Classic  

Bruce Stewart Contributor

Rubira, (Always B Miki) underlining his harness racing potential, continued on his winning way in the $110,000 Group One Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic at Ascot Park today.

Rubira heading out to the track with caretaker trainer Alister Black Bruce Stewart Photo

Trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon at Rolleston it was the two year old gelding’s third win from as many starts. It was also their second win in the Classic for the Purdon training partnership, as they won last year with Vessem. Mark has now won six of the ten Two Year Old Classics whilst driver Blair Orange has now won four. Owners of Rubira, Glenise and Phil Kennard also part owned Lazarus who was the inaugural winner of the race in 2015.

Their were a number of early leaders in the race today with Here’s Johny (Johny Rock) and Ukraine (Captain Crunch) taking the pacemaking spot early, before Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) and then Rubira took the front. When Rubira took the top spot the race settled down and at the end of the 2200 metres it was left to Rubira and Always Dreaming to fight out the finish.Close to the line their cart stays touched, and just past the line the wheels were heard to clash but fortunately both completed safely.

Rubira and Always Dreaming going to battle Bruce Stewart Photo

The margin at the end was half a head with Rubira getting the call, but Always Dreaming’s trainer and driver Nathan Williamson was quick to dismount in the birdcage and fire in a protest. Once he looked at the head-on view however, the protest was withdraw.

Rubira coming back to the birdcage Bruce Stewart Photo

“He’s one of those horses if it was another 50 or 200 metres he still would have won. When a horse gets next to him he really starts to focus. At the moment it takes that to happen for him to really switch on. When it comes down to a slugfest the money would always be on him. You always know he’s got more, which is a good way to be,” Nathan said.

Rubira winning connections and sponsors Bruce Stewart Photo

When Rubira was back early it was noticeable he wasn’t comfortable.

“When the grit hits his face he still throws his head around a bit. He’s never unsafe when he does it. When he matures he should be fine.”

It’s likely Rubira will have a break from racing before being set for some of the late season targets.

“That’s always been the plan. In previous years going down south, we’ve learned that the first time they go down they mature and bounce off it pretty good. 90% of the time the second trip is usually the one that takes a little bit more out of them and they’re looking for a bit of a break. We’ll get him home and reassess, but at this stage I’d be leaning towards giving him a bit of a break.”

Purdon has noticed Rubira’s progress in maturity.

“From the Kindergarten to now he’s matured a lot as a racehorse and he’s the complete package now. He’ll still need to step up to keep this sort of record intact, but he’s well above average. I think he’s proven he’s the best one. But he’ll have to take the next step and keep doing what he’s doing.”

Purdon says the stable has a number of other two year olds in the barn but they’d have to step up to match Rubira. Although he does have a bit of time for Party Central (Captaintreacherous).

“He was a bit off at his first start but I think the next time he lines up we’ll probably see a different horse. It’ll be probably six to twelve months away before we see the best version of him.”

Rubira has been looked after by Branxholme horseman Alister Black on both trips south.

“He does a great job and takes a lot of pride in what he does.”

This year for the first time, a representative of Diamond Creek Farm who sponsor the Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic, was on course. The Club was pleased to welcome Caroline Vazquez, the Director of Marketing and Stallion Syndicates to the course and to have her present the Group One trophy on behalf of the American powerhouse stud and racing establishment.

This was the first Group One Two Year Old race to be held in Southland in either code and the Southern Bred Southern Reared group can be proud of achieving that listing, in a relatively short time.