Epsom Handicap looms large for Rudy

Sunday 21 June 2015, 5:01pm

Rudy's form over the famous Randwick mile has his Gold Coast trainer Helen Page eyeing the Epsom Handicap as a spring target.

Rudy will return to Page's stable on Monday to begin preparations for the spring with the Epsom (1600m) on October 3 high on the trainer's list.

"He has had a good two months spell and I believe he has done very well," Page said.

"He comes back to the stable on Monday and at this stage the Epsom is a possible target as he likes the Randwick 1600 metres.

"However, (husband) John and I will have a good talk to syndicate head Tom Clarke to map out his campaign in the coming weeks."

Rudy hasn't raced since finishing last behind Leebaz in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast on April 25 after which Page sent him to the spelling paddock.

Rudy has had two starts at the Randwick 1600m winning the Group Two Villiers Stakes and finishing fourth in the Group One Doncaster Mile.

Page has not given up hope that Rudy can make a 2000m horse later in his career.

"He failed in the Queensland Derby over 2400 metres and he also failed in the Hollindale. But in both cases he had no luck at all," Page said.

Rudy, a noted wet track horse, has won seven races and $614,000 prize money meaning he should have no trouble gaining a start in the Epsom.

Fellow Gold Coast trainer David Kelly has more immediate plans for promising filly Star of Night who was stakes placed for a second time on Saturday.

Star of Night ran second to the Gai Waterhouse-trained filly Harlem River in the Listed Tattersall's Stakes (1400m).

She was also third in the Group Three B J McLachlan Stakes during the summer.

"I know she is still a maiden but she really is showing some promise," Kelly said.

He will set Star of Night for a $100,000 QTIS two-year-old handicap over 1600m on July 18.

"I have really been wanting to get her out to 1600 metres and it is a pity we can't take on Harlem River at that distance," he said.

– AAP

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