By Neil Evans
He’s built a reputation for being the punter’s “first-up” friend, producing new and exciting gallopers, even on debut.
Albury trainer Ron Stubbs journeys up the highway for Thursday’s feature Wagga meeting ready to unveil the latest stable representative who has set turf tongues wagging.
Rumours Abound is a powerful daughter of group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement (in red above).Credit:bradleyphotos.com.au
Rumours Abound, a highly touted filly bred by renowned and prolific owner Rupert Legh, is preparing to make her debut in a Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate over 1200m.
A powerful and well-built three-year-old daughter of group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement, and out of a High Chaparral mare, Rumours Abound got everyone talking when she easily won the second of two trials last month.
Despite over-racing from a wider barrier, Rumours Abound went toe-to-toe with an on-speed rival until easily gaining the upper hand over the final 150m, with a big gap back to third place.
She clocked just over 53 seconds for the 900m, but could have won by much further.
Stubbs has since given the filly plenty of time to reload, no doubt realising she is bred to get over more ground further into the prep.
In what will be one of many competitive betting races on the card, Rumours Abound will likely command favouritism, although faces a decent test in a full field of 14.
Certainly, it’s a big chance for Stubbs to pick up where he left off in 2022, boasting five winners from his past 13 runners, including a triple treat at The Valley, twice with stable star Boss Lady Rocks and once with promising Sparring.
Meanwhile, rival Albury trainers Donna Scott and Mitchell Beer are also aiming to take home a prize or two from Wagga.
Beer launches a two-prong assault in a Maiden Hcp over 1600m with two stable additions.
Resuming three-year-old Brave Image has his first outing in the Riverina since switching from the Peter Robl stable at Randwick; while Dundeel four-year-old Open Sky makes his debut as a gelding after being transferred from the Bjorn Baker base at Warwick Farm.
Scott will be confident of carrying off a Benchmark 58 Hcp over 1800m, and claiming a heat of the Wagga Stayers Series, with big-finishing four-year-old Lensman, who despite racing often without luck, hasn’t been out of the placings in his past five.
