Flying start for well-bred 3YO
The well-related Ruomaza raced up to his pedigree when making a perfect start to his career on his home track.
Trained by part-owner Kevin Myers at Wanganui, the three-year-old overcame a chequered run on Saturday to win the Lowe Schollum Jones (1340m) with ease.
He is a son of the ill-fated European Group 1 winner Azamour and Country Rose, a Centaine mare who was successful eight times including the Group 3 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and a further three Listed victories.
Ruomaza settled back in the field and stable apprentice Sarah MacNab was forced to be patient before she could find room to improve between runners.
“We got into the better part of the track and when he was clear he ran home really well,” she said.
Bred and sold by Brighthill Farm at Karaka in 2016 for $20,000, Ruomaza’s debut success wasn’t unexpected as all the pre-race signs had been encouraging.
“He trialled up well and he showed that today,” MacNab said.
“I got him to settle, which had been a problem but he did it all well this time.”
A Waverley trial winner over 1000m last month, Ruomoza lengthened stride stylishly in the run home to relegate Sardeen to another minor placing, the 10th of his career, with Original Gangster taking third money.
Meanwhile, promising mare Red Sierra announced her return to racing in emphatic fashion with a hollow victory in the Wanganui Chronicle Handicap (1340m). The David and Emma Haworth-trained mare was a clear last out of the gates before finishing powerfully in the straight to win going away.
“She’s a good horse who’s taken a bit of time,” apprentice rider Charlotte O’Beirne said. “She’s quite quirky and needs clear air, she got that and let down beautifully.”