Albury’s multiple TAB Highway winner Ron Stubbs, with the momentum of numerous Riverina winners, is convinced he has far more favourable circumstances with three-race winning mare Prophet’s Daughter in a return to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The esteemed Stubbs, a three-decade city winner in three states, considers a Highway unplaced in April by Prophet’s Daughter, aptly named by Nostradamus, is not a true indication and recent trials have her well primed.
“The 1100m proved too short, seemed the right fit at that stage of her preparation but better placed at 1300m as she’s won first-up and at 1400m,” Stubbs explained.
Prophet’s Daughter has an appealing weight drop to 55.5kg for Jay Ford in the $120,000 Class 3, 1300m after wins with 58kg and 60kg at Albury last prep.
“Up in grade, they just went too quick for her at 1100m. She was slow out, last (of 15) straightening, but she did close off well enough to suggest she wants longer.
“She’s forward off the two trials, placed on rain-affected tracks and out to right distance range.”
So, at $13 on TAB she’s each-way value with a light weight, wet form and strong at the distance.
With the rise to 1300m and barrier two advantageous the mare should position far more forward than at 1100m.
Promising Stubbs newcomers, including this mare, speedy dual winner Brial Rose and his absolute best, the Southern Country Championships winner Bianco Vilano, a leading The Kosciuszko contender, are primed for city returns.
Prophet’s Daughter won on Albury Cup Day in February ridden by the great Craig Williams.
That day, he and Stubbs with a long association combined for a winning treble including the Southern Country Championships qualifier with Biano Vilano.
That tenacious six-race winning gelding emerged from Highway series early last year and has been back in work a month aimed at The Kosciuszko.
Meanwhile, Stubbs has emerging prospects including dual recent winner, speedy Brial Rose who was nominated for last week’s Highway but instead won at Gundagai.
“We’ve planned a Highway for Brial Rose shortly, we’ve been lucky enough to have a really nice crop of younger horses coming through.”
Brial Rose, Mer Char and Magmetric have won at recent Riverina meetings, along with the double by Prophet’s Daughter.
At present Rosehill Gardens is a Soft 6 after taking showers but clearing by raceday.
– Racing NSW