After being trapped a little wide early on, Fontein Ruby was allowed
to roll in front with an uncontested lead. The race was run at a moderate speed until Fontein Ruby lifted the tempo leading into the home straight and kicked a couple of lengths clear. Pittsburgh Flyer came up on her outside and joined her before Fontein Ruby kicked for a second time before holding off race favorite Maastricht and stable mate Crafty who both closed late.
Fontein Ruby was beautifully handled by jockey Mark Zahra who said after the race "She's a fighter, she really loves a fight. She likes it better in front but we didn't have any option today. She led them up, gave a kick and she fought them off. She did it well."
Fontein Ruby will miss the Group One MRC Thousand Guineas this Saturday and will be aimed at the $750,000 Caulfield Classic over 2000m at Caulfield the following week. Trainer Robert Smerdon is aiming her towards the Group One VRC Oaks.
Turffontein's first crop earnings are now though $522,000. His second crop, now 2yos, were an exceptional bunch of young horses with his fillies selling to $110,000 and his colts selling to $100,000. We anxiously await their arrival on the racetrack directly.
Turffontein is currently 3rd on the Second Season Sires List with only 11 runners this season. He is currently in front of sires such as Denman, Manhattan Rain, Wanted, Nicconi, Big Brown, All American, etc.
Top 10 Second Season Sires by Australian Earnings - (source - Arion)
|
Stallion |
Rnrs |
Wnrs |
SW(SWins) |
Earnings |
Best Performer |
|
Medaglia d'Oro (USA) |
23 |
6 |
2(2) |
$334,075 |
Nostradamus - 132,050 |
|
I Am Invincible |
25 |
6 |
1(1) |
$233,275 |
Brazen Beau - 111,700 |
|
Turffontein |
11 |
2 |
1(1) |
$230,420 |
Fontein Ruby - 193,000 |
|
Denman |
26 |
3 |
1(1) |
$228,070 |
Kuro - 126,050 |
|
Manhattan Rain |
23 |
6 |
0(0) |
$195,695 |
Moonovermanhattan - 41,400 |
|
Wanted |
12 |
2 |
0(0) |
$171,420 |
Rough Justice - 73,150 |
|
Nicconi |
33 |
6 |
0(0) |
$156,385 |
Loved Up - 21,000 |
|
Universal Ruler |
12 |
3 |
0(0) |
$146,600 |
Solar Rule - 60,800 |
|
Big Brown (USA |
19 |
5 |
0(0) |
$131,615 |
Muscovado - 57,455 |
|
Wilander |
6 |
2 |
0(0) |
$114,100 |
Nordic Empire - 85,750 |
Turffontein is standing at a great value fee of $7,700 this season a Blue Gum Farm.
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