The third time certainly proved to be the charm for Ruthven on Saturday, when he was successful in his third try at a Derby in Doomben's G1 Queensland Derby. Racing in the same colours carried by his accomplished Ciaron Maher stablemate Jameka (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), Ruthven won or finished second in five of the first six starts of his career up to March. Fourth, beaten two lengths, behind Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the G1 Australian Derby at The Championship on Apr. 1, Ruthven missed by a length when second in a Caulfield conditions race three weeks later before filling the same position in Morphettville's G1 South Australian Derby on May 13. Away from the barriers fast enough to grab the lead from his middle gate, Ruthven got down to the rail to lead through the opening furlongs before Wu Gok overtook him. Dropping as far back as fourth and three lengths off the lead as a handful contested the pace, Ruthven moved off the fence to reassert himself passing the 600 metre mark and took the lead back. He never relinquished it thereafter, striding clear in the lane to win as he pleased.
Jockey Hugh Bowman, who has partnered with Maher for big-race wins with the likes of Jameka and Set Square, told Sky Racing, “I took a lot of confidence out of riding him on Tuesday morning. I knew he had a strong will. He's been known to sort of be a little immature, letting horses run past him, wanting to chase again, but I just tried to keep his mind on the job and didn't he deliver in flying style.”
Maher said he thinks Ruthven is a Cups horse, but maybe not for this year.
“He's still got to grow and develop a bit more and whether it's this year or next year, I'd say he'll be thereabouts at some stage,” he said. “He's always been a late maturer. He's just starting to furnish as a racehorse.”
Saturday, Doomben, Australia
QUEENSLAND DERBY-G1, A$607,800, BRC, 6-10, 3yo, Open Set Weight, 2200mT, 2:14.45, Good.
1-&@#RUTHVEN, 57.0, c, 3, by Domesday
1st Dam: Ruddigore, by Octagonal (NZ)
2nd Dam: Operettas, by Brief Truce (USA)
3rd Dam: Silver Scala, by Aythorpe (IRE)
O-Rehame Racing (Mgr: W K Cox), C B McKenna, Mrs J M
McKenna, P J Mole, P A Roach, Mrs B D Beiziters, C Jackson, S
Shirtliff, J Webb, D Bowman & C L Maher; B-Mr P Roach VIC;
T-C Maher; J-J Bowman; A$391,800. Lifetime Record: 10-3-5-0,
A$763,900. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A+.
2–Rockstar Rebel, 57.0, c, 3, Rebel Raider–Dublin Me Bet (NZ),
by O'Reilly (NZ). O-B Broomhead & Knox Racing (Mgr: J Knox);
B-Mr BR Broomhead NSW; T-D K Weir; J-B Rawiller;
A$120,000.
3–Ana Royale, 55.0, f, 3, Anacheeva–Sacha Royale, by Fasliyev
(USA). O-Rockmount (Mgr: G D Guest); B-Rockmount VIC; T-S J
Webb; J-M Zahra; A$60,000.
Margins: 3.8 len, 4.6 len, 5.9 len. Odds: 2.40, 14.00, 7.00.
Also Ran: Violate, Here He Comes (NZ) , Volatile Mix (NZ) , Fontein Lad, Wu Gok, Mongolian Wolf, Black on Gold, Shocking Luck (NZ), Shine Tak Star, Garbhan, Monasterio (NZ), Sizzling Bullet, Dazzle Em Sid.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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