Rubira (NZ) Announces Himself in Brilliant Group Two Kindergarten Win

Rubira (NZ) (Always B Miki) announced himself as a horse of the future as he won the $55,000 Group Two Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes (1609m) at Wyndham on Thursday with sheer speed.

The NZB Standardbred graduate showed all the attributes needed for feature racing when extending the remarkable record on the All Stars Stable in the time-honoured feature.

Purchased for $45,000 by Philip and Glenys Kennard of PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock Ltd when he was offered at the 2023 National Yearling Sale at Karaka by breeder-vendors Breckon Farms.

The Kennards race Rubira with the Breckon Racing Syndicate, Gary and Kerryn Woodham and Richard and Sheena Cole.

Rubira went into the Kindergarten Stakes after facing just one other rival in his only prior start at the races

Though the classy youngster lacks experience, he certainly doesn’t lack any class according to driver Blair Orange.

“He is a pretty nice horse, but his ringcraft is still not quite 100%,” Orange said.

“He is very, very green but he has definitely got the motor.”

A wide draw saw Rubira and Orange settle towards the rear soon after the start of Thursday’s feature.

But the reinsman soon made a three-wide move to put his two-year-old into the race.

Despite sitting parked for much of the event, Rubira unleashed too much speed to dominate a classy field to win.

“He was in for the fight and I think he is probably a better stayer than a sprinter,” Orange said.

Through various changes at the helm, the All Stars stable have won an incredible

11 of the past 12 editions of the Kindergarten Stakes.

NZB Standardbred graduates have been able to compete in the past five Kindergarten Stakes, following the establishment of the leading auction house in 2019.

All five of those editions of the race have been won by horses purchased at NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sales.

First Class (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) started the run of success with Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Vessem (NZ) (Vincent) winning the premier event before Rubira’s win this year.

Further demonstrating their dominance of the race, NZB Standardbred graduates filled the trifecta in the 2024 edition of the Kindergarten Stakes.

Ukraine (NZ) (Captain Crunch) fought gamely in the run home to run second to Rubira for trainer-driver Bob Butt.

Always Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) launched a big finish from the rear to run a close third for trainer-driver Nathan Williamson.