Rubick's Rubylot Wins HK Classic Cup

Craig Tompson - Sunday March 2

Rubylot gave Rubick his 14th stakes winner and put himself into the Hong Kong Derby picture with a stunning last to first burst to win the Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Rubylot wins the Hong King Classic Cup for Brenton Avdulla and David Hayes

Having won two starts prior, Rubylot then ran strongly from an awkward position in the Hong Kong Classic Mile at his first start beyond 1400m, and had no trouble with the rise to the 1800m in this race, with Brenton Avdullla having him last at the 1200m mark before working forward and bringing him with  a powerful finish out wide.

The David Hayes trained four-year-old beat My Wish (Flying Artie) by ¾ of a length with Johannes Brahms (Siyouni) third.

“Hayesy had the horse spot on,” said Avdulla.

“He had a nice run though. I was confident at the 250m he would get the job done.”

The win takes his record to six wins, three seconds, and five thirds from 18 starts with earnings of $14,546,000.

Advertisement

Rubylot was a $100,000 purchase for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock from the Woodpark Stud draft at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale.

He is the fourth foal and one of three winners from five to race for Dubawi mare Emirates Comfort (GB), who went to stud being placed and no doubt is offering plenty in the stamina department.

She is a daughter of German bred Royal Highness (Monsun), a multiple Group winner in France and the US, including a win in the Group I Arlington Park Beverley D Stakes and the family is peppered with high class middle distance gallopers in both Europe and the US.

Emirates Comfort has an unraced two-year-old by Aylmerton named Buffo, foaled a colt by All Too Hard last year and was served by Capitalist.

Rubylot is the 14th stakes winner for Swettenham Stud’s Rubick and one of eight winners from 19 runners in Hong Kong.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Hong Kong Classic Cup 1800m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:46.29
1
Rubylot
- 4g Rubick (AUS) x Emirates Comfort (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: B Avdulla 57
2
0.8
My Wish
- 4g Flying Artie (AUS) x Set The Tone (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: Luke Ferraris 57
3
1.5
Johannes Brahms
- 4g Siyouni (FR) x Illaunmore (USA) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: P C Ng Rdr: K Teetan 57
4
1.8
Packing Angel
- 4g Shocking (AUS) x Out Of The Barn (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: J Moreira 57
5
3
Steps Ahead
- 4g Written By (AUS) x Avocado (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: Lyle Hewitson 57
6
3.3
Stunning Peach
- 4g Wootton Bassett (GB) x A Mist Opportunity (AUS) (Foxwedge (AUS))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
7
3.5
Packing Hermod
- 4g Rubick (AUS) x Black Tulip (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: B Shinn 57
8
3.8
Californiatotality
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Total Attraction (AUS) (Nadeem (AUS))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: A Badel 57
9
4
Cap Ferrat
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x C'est Beau La Vie (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: C Williams 57
10
5
Divano
- 4g Brave Smash (JPN) x Been Scene (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: K W Lui Rdr: T Marquand 57
11
5.5
Mondial
- 4g Flower Alley (USA) x Amur Affair (SAF) (Tiger Ridge (USA))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: K C Leung 57
12
6.5
Sky Trust
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Humble (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: J Bowman 57
13
7.8
Noisy Boy
- 4g Real Steel (JPN) x Northern Model (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: C H Yip Rdr: A Atzeni 57
14
8.5
Mickley
- 4g Soldier's Call (GB) x Parle Moi (USA) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: Ryan Moore 57
More Reading...
One to Watch – Newcastle
A $600,000 Proisir filly that is a half-sister to a Group I winner opened her account at Newcastle on Monday.
Blue Diamond Passport to Stud Career
A colt that wins the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is invariably offered a chance at a commercial stud career and champion sires Redoute’s Choice and Extreme Choice have set the bar high in that regard.
Unraced First Season Sires at the Trials
This report is always well read for those looking for insight into what these young stallions have in the pipeline as winners don’t come from nowhere, they come through the trials.
ATIEA nominations close Wednesday midnight
The Australian thoroughbred industry has a final opportunity to recognise its staff, with nominations for the 2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (formerly the Stud and Stable Staff Awards) now closing at midnight this Wednesday.
Zoustar Filly Primed For Another Win
Miss Twinkle shined when winning her maiden at Riccarton last month and trainer Andrew Carston is hoping for a repeat performance when he returns to his local track on Wednesday with his filly.
Sires With Winners - Monday February 16
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Eight Supplementaries Added to Premier Catalogue
A total of eight supplementary entries have been confirmed for the Premier Yearling Sale, taking the final catalogue number to 814 lots.
Ocean Park's Ohope Wins to Lead Wexford Stables Charge
Major targets for two and dress rehearsals for others add up to an intriguing day’s racing for a talent-packed Wexford Stables contingent at Ellerslie on Saturday.
2026 G1 Blue Diamond Field and Barrier Draw
The $2million Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is the first Group I race for juveniles in Australia this season and in a race with many chances the barrier draw is all important and if you had trouble splitting the Price Kent trained colts Guest House and Big Sky before the draw… nothing has changed.
Promising New Winner for Blue Hen
Some mares have a freakish knack for producing fast horses and one of those is Meerlust, who has given us triple Group I winner Duais, plus Group winners Baccarat Baby and Philia with her considerable record improved on Tuesday with a promising new winner at Kembla.