Trainer Darren Weir topped and tailed the Story Landscaping Handicap at Caulfield where Rue Maple took out the 1100-metre event and a scrimmage destroyed the chances of stablemate and favourite Spartini.
Spartini, ridden by Nicholas Hall, couldn’t avoid apprentice Jake Duffy who was dislodged from Miss Elvee when that mare clipped the heels of Silkstone Special near the home turn.
Hall gave up on Spartini who lost a lot of ground in the incident and finished last while Rue Maple had too much class and strolled home 2-1/4 lengths ahead of Silkstone Special and Delabombell.
Duffy was taken to hospital for observation with a severely bruised left arm but was conscious and had feeling in his arms and legs.
Weir said Rue Maple, a dual Caulfield stakes-placegetter in the Group Three Bletchingly and Listed Sir John Monash, was essentially a wet tracker and that the dead ground at Caulfield on Saturday suited her perfectly.
“We were not going to run today if it was a dead four but it was a slow six yesterday and today they said it wouldn’t get any better than dead five so we decided to run,” Weir said.
“She was clearly the best horse in the race and we just have to pick the tracks with a bit of give in them and she will have a good prep.”
Weir said Rue Maple may head to Adelaide for the Listed Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 12 but was unsure if Spartini would clash with her again in that race.
“Nick said she (Spartini) felt all right today but she’s a been up a while so we will have to see,” Weir said.
