New Zealand-bred filly Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) looks to have a bright future ahead after scoring an impressive debut victory at Sandown.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace -trained two-year-old was the only filly in the Ladbroke It! Handicap (1300m) on Wednesday and showed an impressive turn of foot in the straight to register a strong win.
Sent out a heavily backed 2.90 favourite under Jamie Kah, Ruthless Dame scored by a length from another debutant Maroubra (Boulder City).
A daughter of Tavistock, Ruthless Dame was a $90,000 yearling buy at the 2021 Karaka Yearling Sale out of the draft of Curraghmore.
Jack Turnbull, representing the Maher and Eustace stable, said although Ruthless Dame was sporting a nose roll for Wednesday’s debut, the filly showed professionalism in handling the race day experience.
“We just felt educating her that she hadn’t lowered and lengthened as best as we would have liked in her training,” Turnbull said.
“Not that it was awkward, but we thought we could improve her gait. It’s obviously worked, and I don’t think it will be on forever.
“She got here early today and was cool, calm and collected so she’s done everything asked of her.”
Last year’s winner of the corresponding race was the Peter Moody-trained Lightsaber (Zoustar) who went on to capture the Gr.2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington two starts later.
Kah was impressed with Ruthless Dame, saying the filly had a good brain.
“She’s a first starter and was entitled to be green, but she came around that turn super and hit the front probably a bit too soon and she was strong to the line,” Kah said.
“She had a really good turn of foot for that today but she’s going to want further, however she’s got the right brain on her.
“She’s a nice filly going places.”
Maher, Eustace and Kah collected back-to-back wins when Healing Game (Tivaci) took out the Ladbrokes Switch Maiden Plate (1400m).
