Ruby Rocks to Wairarapa Cup success
Local Opaki mare Ruby Rocks put her best foot forward as she dominated the closing stages when taking out the Wairarapa Cup (2050m) at Tauherenikau, New Zealand on Tuesday.
To the cheers of the large crowd on hand, the seven-year-old daughter of Burgundy raced away to win by two lengths as she recorded the biggest win of her 40-start career.
Rider Sam Weatherley was content to sit well back in the early running as tearaway pacemaker Love For All set up a torrid speed out in front.
Weatherley and the rest of the field began to get urgent at the 600m and started chasing down the leader with Ruby Rocks swooping to the front around the home bend.
Weatherley kept her up to the mark as she maintained a strong gallop to defeat race favourite Achieve and Lincoln Star who both battled on bravely in the run home.
Trainer Roger Allen was delighted the mare he co-bred with wife Ann had bounced back from a pair of midfield efforts at Trentham where she hadn’t received a lot of luck in the running.
“It was a very tough win and great to get her back on a firm track,” Allen said.
“She doesn’t like it shifty and her last two starts at Trentham really didn’t suit the way the track was there.
“It was also a perfect ride by Sam as he got her settled and put her in the race like we had asked him.
“She seems to be thriving now at a middle distance, so I think there is a rating 75 2200m at Otaki in a couple of weeks which is where she is likely to go next.”
Allen was looking forward to heading home with the mare and enjoying a cold beer and a dip in the pool after battling the stifling heat on-course.
“It’s stinking hot here today so it will be good to get home, feed up then settle in for a beer and a swim,” he said.
“We’ve got a few mates coming around and some who are in her ownership, so it will make for a good night.
“It’s a pretty big group of owners in her including plenty of locals and some friends of my daughter from up Waiuku way so I’m sure they would all have got a kick out of the result today.”