Damien Oliver brings Ruuca back to scale (Image: Racing Photos)
Everest champion Yes Yes Yes may bypass the Coolmore Stud Stakes but his sire Rubick could still provide a challenger for the Group 1 race following an impressive victory by colt Ruuca at The Valley on Friday night.
Trainer Toby Edmonds said he was unsure whether Ruuca could even make the final line-up in next Saturday’s 1200m stallion-maker but he said he would keep the option open after he burst through to score in the opening race over 1000 metres.
"He’s got any amount of ability and I always thought in the back of my mind that once we put blinkers on, he would jump out of the ground," the Gold Coast-based trainer said.
Asked whether Ruuca was ready to rise sharply in class, Edmonds said: "That’s why we are here. We would consider running him again next Saturday if he got a run but it’s up to the horse.
"He’s always shown above average ability from day one. He didn’t beat them by far tonight but but it was only 1000 metres.
"Once he gets to 1200 metres and further, this horse is going to get better."
Jockey Damien Oliver drove Ruuca ($4.20) through a gap on turning for home to score by half a length over Niedorp ($7.50) with Sizzlefly ($6.50) in third.
WATCH: Ruuca wins the opener on Manikato Stakes night.
Oliver was impressed. "As soon as the run came he hit the line good. I think he’s a nice horse."
Oliver made the perfect start to the Cox Plate carnival when he also rode the second winner Iconoclasm, who beat Widgee Turf, just as he did in the same race, the VOBIS Gold Star, 12 months ago.
Rubick, a Schillaci Stakes winner and Blue Diamond Prelude winner in his brief track career, is in his fourth season as a stallion and he certainly to starting to make an impact.
His initial fee in 2015 of $17,600 rose to $38,500 this season.
WATCH: Iconoclasm holds out Widgee Turf in the VOBIS Gold Star.