Rubiton started off solely as a sprinter winning the 1,400 metre weight for age Futurity Stakes and coming third in the Newmarket Handicap and Oakleigh Plate to sprinters Placid Ark and Special.
Rubiton atoned for the defeat at his next start by winning the 1987 Cox Plate in track record time of 2.02.9, beating (Our) Poetic Prince, Fair Sir and Vo Rogue.