Rubira (NZ) Dominates Group Two Alabar 3YO Classic

Harness racing fans saw plenty of sizzling speed when Rubira (NZ) (Always B Miki) led throughout to win the $55,000 Group Two Alabar Three-Year-Old Classic (2200m) at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon took full control of the feature event with his NZB Standardbred graduate and they made their rivals pay.

Trained by Purdon and son Nathan, Rubira charged off the mobile to run to an early lead after the front was there for the taking.

“I was just playing it by ear and I could see what the favoured runners were going to do,” said Purdon.

“I thought I’d take my chance and go forward quickly, he really showed a great turn of speed to cross them.”

Philip and Glenys Kennard of PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock Ltd purchased Rubira for $45,000 when he was offered at the 2023 National Yearling Sale at Karaka by breeder-vendors Breckon Farms. He has since added $239,942 in earnings beside his name. 

The Kennards race Rubira with the Breckon Racing Syndicate, Gary and Kerryn Woodham and Richard and Sheena Cole.

Rubira’s victory put another black-type feature on his already outstanding resume.

The pacer won the Group One Diamond Creek Farm Two-Year-Old Classic (2200m) and the Group Two Kindergarten Stakes (1609m) during his brilliant two-year-old season.

Rubira also ran second behind Marketplace (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Final (1980m) at Addington.

Marketplace charged home from off the speed in an eye-catching third placing in Friday night’s feature.

The pair will clash again in this week’s $200,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Final at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Got The Chocolates (NZ) (Art Major) who was third in last year’s NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Final, ran second in last week’s Alabar Three-Year-Old Classic.

Driver John Dunn was pleased with his horse’s effort and is looking forward to another Harness Million tilt.

“Really happy with his first up run, he had a nice draw and got the right run” commented Dunn.

“They just dawdled along and sprinted up the straight, but he has hit the line well and hit the line even better.”

The field for the Alabar Three-Year-Old Classic was made up entirely of NZB Standardbred graduates with most horses to progress to this week’s lucrative NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three-Year-Old Final.

Vendor	Breckon Farms
Purchaser	PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock Ltd
Breeding	Always B Miki - Delightful Kas Brown Colt
Sale	2023 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Auckland $45,000
Breeder	Breckon Farms