Scone trainer John Ramsey isn't frightened to have a throw at the stumps with country-performer Bright Rubick in the group 3 Spring Stakes (1600 metres) at Newcastle on Saturday.
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And after his success with a longer shot on an even bigger stage for three-year-olds, Ramsey was hopeful of going one better at the standalone meeting.
Ramsey and Newcastle jockey Darryl McLellan combined last Thursday with $41-chance Never Listen when it powered home to finish second in the $1 million VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
They will join forces again on Saturday with Bright Rubick, which drew gate one and was a $19 TAB Fixed Odds shot.
The filly has won three from three for Ramsey, all at Muswellbrook, since returning from the Bjorn Baker stables.
Bright Rubick will come up against $3 favourite Rule The World, which is unbeaten in three career starts, all in Sydney, for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
Rule The World, a Gooree Stud gelding, has dominated from the front in his races but drew eight in the 12-horse field on Wednesday.
Ramsey hoped the draws would help set the race up for Bright Rubick to challenge in the $160,000 race.
"She drew well so that's always a help," Ramsey said.
"[Rule The World] will go forward probably, and that Just Society might go forward, so they might go a bit quick, and we'll just sit in behind them hopefully and get the box seat.
"Obviously it's a big step up from Muswellbrook, but we'll be sitting in behind them, hopefully fourth to sixth in there somewhere."
Ramsey said Bright Rubick had trained on well and "cleaned up in the coat" since her last-start win on November 3.
"She's won three straight and broke the track record there at Muswellbrook last start, so if they can do that, they're no slouch," he said.
"You have to have a throw at the stumps to find out ... Hopefully it can happen again."
Bright Rubick and the Kris Lees-trained, Australian Bloodstock-owned Game Of Thorns will carry Hunter hopes in the Spring Stakes.
Game Of Thorns, third at Newcastle last start, drew barrier seven and was a $26 chance with Brenton Avdulla aboard.
"I reckon she's a really good hope," Australian Bloodstock director Luke Murrell said. "I think she's the wrong price, she should be closer to $12 or $15. She's been a slow maturing horse and she will probably be better again next prep.
"But she's more of a chaser and she hit the front early the other day and didn't know what to do."
