Hot Ruby runs its rivals into the ground at Flemington
The Luke Oliver-trained Hot Ruby hammered its rivals in the sixth race on the card at Flemington in a consummate professional performance.
The six-year-old mare travelled wonderfully in transit and was produced at the ideal time by jockey Beau Mertens to extend away in the latter stages to return $4.50 at WilliamHill.com.au.
Hot Ruby is in hot form, winning the @tabcomau @austrainers Women Trainers Handicap at #Flemington.
— FlemingtonRacecourse (@FlemingtonVRC) May 6, 2017
Savannah Moon ($2.30 at Sportsbet.com.au) plugged away gamely but could not match the winner in the final 200m, but still managed to grab third ahead of Sheandoah, which returned $5.10 at Crownbet.com.au.
The late plunge on Darren Weir-trained mare Zasorceress proved fruitless as punters were stung by yet another short-priced favourite going down at Flemington.
— Adam Blencowe (@NoverreMan) May 6, 2017
Keeping in with the theme of the day, the win was just Hot Ruby’s second victory since April of 2015 and just the fourth success of its 39-race career.
.@beau_mertens scores his second win at headquarters aboard Hot Ruby in the @tabcomau @austrainers Women Trainers Handicap. pic.twitter.com/pAEYUB4dEe
— FlemingtonRacecourse (@FlemingtonVRC) May 6, 2017
Jockey Beau Mertens said Hot Ruby got the ideal run to suit, which put the gun hoop’s mind at ease.
“Yeah she did (travel well),” Mertens said.
“We had a beautiful run in transit… she was pretty comfortable where she was.”
I think that meant quite a bit to connections of Hot Ruby! pic.twitter.com/4c4IExAR9c
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 6, 2017
The jockey said the race was at the horse’s mercy once it found open space.
“Once I got her out and got her going she really tracked up nicely… and she came on well,” he added.