Robbie Griffiths and Jye McNeil have combined with Rey Magnerio to take out the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, after wearing down Insurrection (+280) in the final strides to claim a valuable victory.
The son of Magnus went into the race first-up, and he was heavily backed late with horse racing bookmakers from +300 into +270 in the last five minutes before the jump.
After jumping well from the gates, McNeil was happy to settle Rey Magnerio three-wide close to the speed, which was set by Insurrection and Maharba (+270).
With only one turn to navigate, Insurrection gave a strong kick at the 300m mark, which left Mahraba flatfooted and struggling to stay with the leader, while the eventual winner gradually took ground off the frontrunner.
The only other chance in the race was Prairie Flower (+500), but the mare took forever to whind up and only chased in vein.
Passing the 50m mark, Rey Magnerio continued to grind and take more and more ground off Insurrection before getting his nose down on the line to claim a narrow win.
Robbie Griffiths spoke to the media post-race.
“He had a nice little freshen after running second in The Meteorite, he put the form on the board during the spring and that stood up with Maharba running so well in the Winterbottom,” Griffiths said.
“He came back and he appeared stronger, his trials indicated he was better, and he proved it today that he’s gone another level.”
“I thought he couldn’t run any better than third; they were cantering, and I thought, ‘Blake’s going to win this (on Insurrection) and they’ll run it that order’, but when it gets to a fight, he’s a fighter – he’s well-named.
“Looking at the way his form finished in the spring and how he has come back, you would think he’s going to be right in the thick of things in an Oakleigh Plate.
“It was always the plan to go there and then the Newmarket, so he’s kicked it off the right way today.”
Jye McNeil spoke on horseback on the way back to the mounting yard, and he was very happy with the victory.
“He’s been great for me, connections and I’m sure Robbie as well,” McNeil said.
“I seem to get along with him really well.
“The draw was a bit awkward, but with moderate speed we landed three-wide outside them, and he was prepped up really well for today and great to get another win on the board.
“Albeit we were covering a little bit more ground, it was probably beneficial to sit that little bit closer and be in that position.
“He’s got a really good sprint, and he showed that today to get over the top.”
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