By Bren O'Brien
While the Sydney weather may have fallen in Rubisaki's (Rubick) favour ahead of Wednesday's $1 million Inglis Sprint - 3YOs, trainer Patrick Payne believes whatever the filly does, she will improve upon in what shapes as a very bright future.
A winner of four of her six starts to date, Rubisaki will start close to favourite in Wednesday's rescheduled race, which represents the sternest test of her short career. However, Payne sees no reason why she won’t put her best foot forward.
Rubisaki
"She is in excellent order. Coming back from 1400 metres to 1200 metres on some soft ground, you would think that would be an advantage for her" he told TDN AusNZ.
"It’s hard to tell where she measures up, I think her attitude exceeds her ability a little bit. She's got a great attitude. She's been in pretty protected races so far. this is no doubt her toughest test."
Rubisaki's only run outside of restricted or benchmark company was when she was second in the Listed Gibson Carmichael S. at Flemington last July.
But three of her wins have come on rain-affected ground, which given the downpour which has hit Warwick Farm in the past week, has her ideally placed to step up against some top-quality horses.
The Inglis Sprint was initially down to be run on Saturday, but with that meeting washed out, the race has been pushed back four days. With Payne traveling the horse from his base outside of Melbourne, he might normally have some concerns about being on the road for longer than expected, but Rubisaki is thriving in a different environment.
"She's very easy to deal with and clean-winded. Sometimes when you are travelling them, you would rather get the race over and done with rather than waiting around, but she seems to have handled it fine," he said.
Prime Thoroughbreds paid $85,000 for Rubisaki from her breeders at Edinburgh Park at the 2018 Classic Sale. A half-sister to Prime and Payne's talented mare Zizzis (Sizzling), she has already provided an excellent return on that investment, winning three times that amount in her first half a dozen starts.
Rubisaki as a yearling
Wednesday's race, which features prizemoney of $580,000 for first, offers the prospect of a huge payday. However, Payne is thinking of bigger and better things further down the line.
"I think she is only halfway through maturing. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets better as she gets older. She is quite a fine filly and I would think she would keep furnishing as she gets older," he said.
With that in mind, Payne is open minded on her next assignment, with Wednesday's race to be an important guide to her future goals.
"There are quite a few options for her but it will depend how she measures up on Wednesday," he said.
Patrick Payne | Image courtesy of Patrick Payne Racing
Mr Cashman to return Saturday
Payne and Prime Thoroughbreds have enjoyed a long-term successful partnership with several top horses and the return of one of their most promising 2-year-olds, Mr Cashman (Epaulette), in Saturday's Listed Talindert S. creates plenty of interest.
The colt, purchased for $37,500 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale, debuted with an impressive win at Moonee Valley in December.
Payne said Mr Cashman had thrived since his recent trial at Cranbourne and was in great order ahead of his resumption.
Exactly what level he gets to this campaign, Payne is not sure, but he will likely send him to the G2 VRC Sires' Produce S. on March 7 next month as long as he comes through Saturday's race in good order.
