Clarry Conners’ patience was rewarded at Warwick Farm on Thursday when three-year-old Blue Ruby finished strongly to post a first-up success.
“I have accepted with her three times already this preparation and she has drawn wide every time so I have scratched her,” Conners said.
“Even yesterday she was entered at Gosford and came up with barrier 18 of 18.
“Her owner, Stuart Ramsey, has been kind enough to let me wait and the filly has done the job today.”
From a good draw, Blue Ruby settled midfield in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1100m) before jockey Hugh Bowman angled her between runners and into the clear at the top of the straight.
With a line of four horses across the track at the 100 metre mark, Blue Ruby ($16) did her best work over the concluding stages to defeat Lord Mitchell ($6) by a long head with another head to That’s How ($8) in third.
“I’ve always had a nice opinion of this filly,” Conners said.
“I trained her mother Mardi’s Magic who won a Magic Night Stakes and that’s how I got to train this filly.
“She’s no superstar but I think she’s got a bit of a future.”
Bowman, who notched his 47th metropolitan win of the season, said Blue Ruby got through the heavy ground without any issues.
“It’s always a big question mark going into these races in these conditions but she certainly travelled like the winner,” Bowman said.
“When she got out it took a bit of getting her mind on the job but her best work was the last 50 metres.
“I think we’ll see more of her.”
Blue Ruby was having just her second start after failing on debut at Canterbury in August.
AAP TURF
