Ruthless Dame (NZ) Reigns Supreme in Group One Sangster

Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have celebrated two Group One wins in Adelaide within the space of a week – both with fillies bought from Karaka 2021, and over very different distances.

Seven days after Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) was too tough for her opposition in the Australasian Oaks (2000m), brilliant filly Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) streaked past an elite field of older mares to win Saturday’s A$500,000 Furphy Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m). Bought for $90,000 from Karaka 2021, she has now earned A$562,475.

It was only the sixth time that a three-year-old has won the fillies and mares’ showpiece since it was awarded Group One status 18 years ago, and the lightly raced Ruthless Dame – who was making only the sixth start of her short career – did it against a field that featured proven Group One stars such as Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto), Marabi (I Am Invincible), September Run (Exceed And Excel) and Espiona (Extreme Choice).

Ruthless Dame was ridden by John Allen, who had also won the Oaks on Affaire A Suivre the previous weekend.

Taken back from her wide gate, Ruthless Dame settled in fourth-last and still had only three horses behind her by the time she reached the home turn.

But Allen brought her to the outside and pushed the button at the top of the home straight, and Ruthless Dame produced a blistering burst. She swept past almost a dozen rivals with ease, and when Another Award (Shamus Award), Zapateo (Brazen Beau) and Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun) rallied and pushed her hard through the final 100 metres, she kept lifting to hold them out. She remained three-quarters of a length ahead of them at the finish line, scoring a top-class and highly tenacious win.

“It was only her sixth start – it’s a great job by Ciaron, David and the team,” Allen said. “When we travelled into it, we were there at the top of the straight and I knew she’d be strong through the line. I was pretty confident we were going to finish off strongly.”

Ruthless Dame’s six-start career has now produced three wins and two placings. She had previously won the Group Three VRC Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) as an autumn two-year-old last year. While this was the first win of her three-year-old season, she had been a close second in the Group One Surround Stakes (1400m) and third in the Group Three Manfred Stakes (1300m).

“Unbelievable,” Maher said after Saturday’s win. “We could have run her against three-year-olds in the next race on the card.

“But she’d already been Group One-placed, and we just thought she could have the last crack at them here. There was always going to be really good speed on, and she’s got strong form over a bit further than this. She came into this nice and fresh. Our team have done a super job with her.

“The team of owners are great supporters of ours. They’ve had some really good success over the years, and this just tops it all off.

“Campbell (Stott, owner) and I have often paired up to buy these New Zealand horses. Usually they’re horses that get up over a bit more ground than this, but I’m sure he’ll be happy with this one.

“She could go to the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) now, or she could come back here for the Goodwood (1200m). There’s plenty of options for her. We’ll just let the dust settle first. She’s a Group One winner now, and we can take our time to work out what’s going to suit her best from here.”

Vendor	Curraghmore
Purchaser	Ciaron Maher Racing (Victoria)
Breeding	Tavistock – Ruthless Lady
Sale	Lot 86, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $90,000
Bred by	Go Bloodstock Australia Pty Ltd

Photo Credit - Jenny Barnes