Rubira (NZ) Remains Unbeaten with Group One Triumph

Rubira (NZ) (Always B Miki) kept his unbeaten record intact with his brilliant win in the $102,000 Group One Diamond Creek Farm Classic (2200m) on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park.

The NZB Standardbred graduate became a Group One winner in just his third start with a fighting win for trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon and driver Blair Orange.

Rubira was secured 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.

Rubira has formed an outstanding partnership with driver Blair Orange that hasn’t been broken in their three starts for three wins.

The reinsman was thrilled with the way his horse dug deep to score after an epic home straight battle with runner-up Always Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

“He is quite a cool horse, he is quite nervy but when he is out he is lovely,” Orange said.

“He made his own luck today and he just held on from a gallant Always Dreaming.”

Orange and Rubira were able to find the lead amid a changing race.

Though the two-year-old was caught wide early and worked to find the lead in the middle stages, he found plenty in reserve when challenged by Always Dreaming.

“We worked forward early and we got in front of Got The Chocolates, which is what I wanted to do,” Orange said.

“From there we carried on and found the front and the horse was good enough to do it.”

Rubira’s Group One victory came in his first start since winning the Group Two Kindergarten Stakes (1609m) at Wyndham last month.

The unbeaten pacer is raced by Philip and Glenys Kennard, the Breckon Racing Syndicate, Gary and Kerryn Woodham and Richard and Sheena Cole.

In winning, the classy two-year-old led a dominant display in the Group One Diamond Creek Farm Classic by NZB Standardbred graduates.

Always Dreaming produced an outstanding effort when also working to the lead before trailing Rubira and running a game second.

Got The Chocolates (NZ) (Art Major) ran on strongly in a meritorious effort for third ahead of Bettors Anvil (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), sealing a top four finish for NZB Standardbred graduates.