Ruettiger brings up Craig Williams treble
Ruettiger has brought up an winning treble from the first five races at Flemington for jockey Craig Williams as he continues his battle with Dwayne Dunn for the Melbourne premiership.
Williams started Saturday five wins behind Dunn but wins to Lady Selkirk, Trenchant and then Ruettiger in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) have closed the gap.
Williams said with his manager away on holidays it was his brother Jason who pinpointed Ruettiger as the right horse to ride in the All Victorian Sprint Final after his fast-finishing third last start at Flemington.
The Lee and Anthony Freedman-trained Ruettiger denied the Darren Weir-trained Voodoo Lad becoming Weir’s 100th metropolitan winner for the season in Melbourne.
Voodoo Lad hit the front passing the 200m but Ruettiger was up for the challenge and responded on his inside under Williams to edge clear by a short neck with two lengths back to Reldas in third.
“I thought he did a great job today,” Williams said.
“The second horse is a very talented horse and we had to fight and Ruettiger was a bit too strong today.”
Lee Freedman said he would look at more straight-race options at Flemington for Ruettiger.
“This horse has been racing in really good heart and as a four-year-old now we’ve discovered he’s quite a good straight horse,” Freedman said.