Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) has maintained an unbeaten record with a strong win in the Gr.3 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained daughter of Tavistock was successful over 1300m at Sandown last month which helped her at the end of the 1200m in Group Three company on Saturday.
Under the guidance of Jamie Kah, Ruthless Dame dug deep to score by a neck from Nangui (Sebring) with Mumbai Jewel (I Am Invincible) a short-neck away third.
Eustace said the Gr.2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on the same card had been considered, but the stable felt the 1200m against fillies was a better option.
“It was considered but all our data suggested she’s a pretty sharp two-year-old and that gave us the encouragement to go, especially 1200 here down the straight,” Eustace said.
“She was very strong late. She travelled really nicely and got a beautiful tow into the race. She showed plenty of tenacity when Nanagui came to her girth and she picked up late. She’s a smart filly.”
The Gr.1 Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick on April 2 is now the likely target.
“I spoke to Ciaron just then and the Sires’ is an obvious target out to 1400 metres in three weeks. Or the Percy Sykes (Gr.2, 1200m) is another option,” Eustace said.
Winning Jockey Jamie Kah believes Ruthless Dam will be suited out in trip.
“She’s going to get over a bit of ground and was really good late because she was probably headed at one stage and she just dug in deep,” Kah said.
“She’s got a big heart and a big future as well.
“I thought we didn’t have much left until I drew the whip and straightened her up a bit and then she found another length.”
Bred by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Ruthless Dame is a graduate of Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore.
Out of the stakes-placed Keeper mare Ruthless Lady (NZ), Ruthless Dame was bought by Ciaron Maher Racing for $90,000 at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales from the Book 1 session on the recommendation of Sarah Worker and Conor Fahy of Kawa Park, who both previously worked for the leading stable before returning to New Zealand.
