The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly Ruthless Dame shows plenty of toe for a daughter of Tavistock and she kept her record at a perfect two for two in Saturday’s $200,000 Group III TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, Ruthless Dame came under serious attack in the closing stages by James McDonald on the well-supported Sebring filly Nanagui.
Ruthless Dame rallied in the final 100m to turn back the challenge of Nanagui by a neck with a further back to the I Am Invincible filly Mumbai Jewel a short-neck back in third.
Ruthless Dame kickstarted her career by defeating a field of males over 1300m at Sandown on February 2.
Co-trainer David Eustice said they had given serious consideration to running the daughter of Tavistock in the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
“It was considered but all our data gave us the indication she is really sharp and that gave us the encouragement to go, especially 1200 here down the straight,” Eustice said.
“She was very strong late. She travelled really nicely and got a beautiful tow into the race. She showed plenty of tenacity when Nanagui came to her girth, and she picked up late. She’s a smart filly.
“I spoke to Ciaron just then and the (ATC) Sires’ is an obvious target out to 1400 metres in three weeks. Or the Percy Sykes.
“Credit to the team and her. She’s been up a long time.”
Bred by Go Bloodstock, Ruthless Dame was a $90,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Racing from the Curraghmore draft from Book 1 of the 2021 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Tavistock is the second winner from as many to race for the stakes-placed Keeper mare Ruthless Lady.
A $225,000 yearling purchase for David Ellis, Ruthless Lady is a half-sister to Group II winner Oracy (Zabeel) and dual Listed winner The Lady (Stravinsky).
Ruthless Lady’s dam Lady Dehere (Dehere) is a Group II winning half-sister to the triple Group 1 winner Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock), Group III winner and successful stallion Oratorio (Stravinsky) and Listed winner Discorsi (Galileo).
Ruthless Dame becomes the 35th stakes-winner for Cambridge Stud’s late stallion Tavistock whose final crop of yearlings sell this year.
