Albury, Wyong previews: Trainer Ron Stubbs is quietly confident Bianco Vilano can handle the step up in distance in 2025 Albury Cup bid

Bianco Vilano enters new territory when he steps up to 2000m for the first time in the Albury Cup but strong performances over the mile has trainer Rob Stubbs feeling confident he is up for it.

Bianco Vilano is striving for a home town win in the Albury Cup. Picture: Bradley Photos

WITH solid form over the mile this campaign including a tough win at Warwick Farm last start convinced trainer Rob Stubbs to give stable star Bianco Vilano a shot at his home town cup.

Bianco Vilano finished fourth behind the talented Elphinstone in consecutive races at Pakenham and Flemington back in January and December respectively.

Stubbs then ventured to Sydney with his six-year-old on April 2 where he raced three-wide without cover under 60kg before running down Mountain Top over 1600m at Warwick Farm.

That was enough for Stubbs to decide he earned a shot at the Listed Albury Cup in which he steps up top 2000m for the first time.

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“It’s a little question mark I hope,” said Stubbs.

“The way he ran the mile at Warwick Farm the other week would suggest he can do it but you don’t know until you try and we just hope that he can.

“Elphinstone went on the win a Listed race in Adelaide and we were pinching a bit of ground off her at the end of each race.

“I think if she was in the Cup, she would start favourite.

“It’s our home town Cup and you just have to have a shot.”

If Bianco Vilano performs up to expectations, Stubbs will look at another cup in a couple of weeks.

“This is our autumn carnival in the Riverina. We head from the Albury Cup to the Wagga Cup meetings in two weeks,” he said.

“It would be great if he can run a beautiful race and justify a start in the Wagga Cup.”

A great @G1TySchil ride sees Bianco Vilano come out on top in Race 4 at Warwick Farm! @RonStubbs4pic.twitter.com/6kYW89OrcU

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 2, 2025

If Bianco Vilano wins the Albury Cup, it would be a third win in the race for Stubbs who prepared Spunlago to win in 2020 and Wilga Dash in 1993.

While the Big Dance-eligible Albury Cup is the feature race of the day, the Flat Knacker (900m) is always a popular event and the Stubbs-trained Sparring is shooting for a third consecutive win in the race along with aiming to maintain his perfect record on his home turf.

“He’s never been beaten in a race or trial on the Albury track,” Stubbs declared.

The six-year-old has finished down the track in two of his three runs this preparation at Warwick Farm and Flemington but was a handy fifth behind Shezanalister at Randwick two starts back on February 8.

“His run at Randwick was extremely good. I think he ran the third fastest last 200m for the meeting,” said Stubbs.

“It was a Benchmark 94 which was quite a competitive race and he didn’t disgrace himself at all.

“We wanted to take him to Sydney a couple of weeks ago but the track conditions didn’t suit. It will be a perfect track for him this week.

“I’m certain he will give it a hell of a fright.”

🤩 A double to @BBakerRacing as Shezanalister lands some big bets to win at Randwick! pic.twitter.com/u2np4dOTxh

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

Sparring will be joined in the 900m sprint by stablemates Rumours Abound and Tap ‘N’ Run.

Rumours Abound was a Wagga winner by nearly three lengths on Australia Day with her next three runs at Randwick, The Valley and Warwick Farm.

“She is coming off a midweek race at Warwick Farm in what was one of the stronger races she has run into,” he said.

“She wasn’t giving ground on the line and we walked away more than happy with her.

“She should sit one or two pairs back and she can hit the line strongly too.”

Tap ‘N’ Run is resuming from a break and will find the 900m too short according to Stubbs but will be powering home.

“He’s a horse who gets back but he has a powerful finish and will be hitting the line strongly.”

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

A GROUP of first time owners got the perfect introduction to racing when Gandalf scored a debut win at Hawkesbury last month.

After seeing him trial for Godolphin at Hawkesbury last year, Gandalf was purchased for $25,000 on Inglis Digital by trainer Brad Widdup in December.

“I bought him online after seeing him in a trial here at Hawkesbury to race with some family and friends. Most of the people in the Secret Boys Club are first time owners,” said Widdup.

“We knew he wasn’t going to be a Mercedes Benz but he is a horse who is going to win a few races and we can have a bit of fun with if we can place him right.

The son of Impending showed good speed early to cross from a wide barrier and race outside the leader before gaining the better of race favourite Sosueme at the 200m and coming away to win by nearly a length-and-a-half.

Gandalf flies down the outside for an impressive win on debut! 🔥@BWiddupRacingpic.twitter.com/RHfHPigTtZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 18, 2025

Starting his career with back-to-back wins has a nice ring to it but he will need a little bit of magic from jockey Tyler Schiller after drawing barrier 13 in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) at Wyong.

“It was a nice win on debut,” Widdup said.

“He has drawn awkwardly this week and it’s not going to be easy. He will need a bit of luck from out there.

“Win, lose or draw he will go out for a break but I just wanted to give him a little bit more race experience before I tip him out.

“I think he should be a nice horse next time through.”

Stablemate Party Doll is knocking on the door for a win and Widdup is hoping the door opens for the five-year-old in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) for fillies and mares.

The daughter of Sooboog has two wins from 19 starts with a further nine minor placings, seven of them seconds.

She was beaten nose by Gogmagog over 1000m at Wyong three starts back before a close second to Power Of The Brave at Gosford.

Power Of The Brave leads all the way and is too good for the rest! 💥@Leesracingpic.twitter.com/VLLYhqjdGT

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025

Last start, she bounded on jumping and settled well back before running on to finish a length third behind Struff over this track and distance.

“She is very a very honest mare and trying very hard, she just isn’t getting a lot of luck,” he said.

“From that draw, you would hope she lands in a nice spot again and she should be thereabouts.”

Originally published as Albury, Wyong previews: Trainer Ron Stubbs is quietly confident Bianco Vilano can handle the step up in distance in 2025 Albury Cup bid