Rubitano earns crack at the Cox Plate
By Robert Windmill of AAP 20/07/02

Brian Mayfield-Smith will give Rubitano a chance to eclipse his sire Rubiton and become only the third horse to complete the Newmarket Hcp-Cox Plate double in the same year.

Rubitano's remarkable career rolled on at Caulfield today when he powered away to a first-up win the $100,000 Sir John Monash Stakes (1000m) which featured a Rubiton trifecta.

Having his first run since prevailing in a blanket finish in the Newmarket (1200m) at Flemington in March, Rubitano scored by 1-3/4 lengths from three-year-old filly Ruby Slipper with his stablemate Prince Rubiton 1-3/4 lengths away third.

Rubitano has won eight of his 11 starts and Mayfield-Smith is keen to give the rising five-year-old his chance in longer races.

He said the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26 was the long-term goal for the gelding who has already earned just under $675,000.

"It's been in the back of my mind," Mayfield-Smith said.

"We've been thinking about it because he is such a strong horse and has a great temperament."

Rubiton won the 1987 Cox Plate seven months after he finished third to Placid Ark and Princely Heart in the Newmarket Hcp.

Ajax (1938) was the last Newmarket winner to land the Cox Plate in the same year. The other was Heroic in 1926.

Mayfield-Smith said Rubitano signalled his class early in his career when he was able to rise from a maiden win to Group One glory in his first campaign.

"He stamped his depth when in his first preparation he won a Group One race at his 10th race start," Mayfield-Smith.

"And it wasn't a slip of a Group One race but a Newmarket Handicap.

"They just don't do that.

"They might have five good runs but this bloke just kept going.

"In fact, he pulled up so well after the Newmarket he could have run again."

Mayfield-Smith said Rubitano would have his next run in the $100,000 Bletchingly Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 3.

A medium-term goal is the Group One $350,000 Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.

Prince Rubiton may not clash with Rubitano again this spring and will have his next start in the $100,000 Aurie's Star Hcp (1200m) at Flemington on August 11.

Mayfield-Smith agreed with jockey Steven King's assessment that Prince Rubiton failed to handle the rain-affected track.

"He was tracking Rubitano but as soon as he had to quicken he lost his action," Mayfield-Smith said.

Robbie Laing said Ruby Slipper confirmed her class today.

"She's a top filly," he said.

Ruby Slipper drew wide but Damien Oliver rode her for pace and eventually managed to cross the field to lead on her.

However Rubitano, under the urgings of jockey Nash Rawiller, reached her halfway up the straight and proved too strong.

They will clash again in the Bletchingly.