Group Three Glow for Unbeaten Filly

Within the space of less than 15 months, Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) has gone from a $90,000 price tag at Karaka 2021 to being an unbeaten Group Three-winning two-year-old in Melbourne.

The well-related filly was bought by Ciaron Maher Racing from the Curraghmore draft. After winning Saturday’s A$200,000 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, she has now had two starts for two wins, A$148,800 in stakes and even greater value as a future broodmare prospect.

Ruthless Dame was a comfortable debut winner at Sandown on February 2, and trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace had no hesitation in stepping her up to stakes level for the second start of her career.

Ridden by Jamie Kah, Ruthless Dame her move out of midfield at the same time as the favourite Nanagui (Sebring). The two pulled clear to fight out the finish, and Ruthless Dame kept lifting and held a narrow advantage at the finish.

“She’s going to get over a bit of ground, which was really good late in the race today, because she was probably headed at one stage and she just dug in deep,” Kah said. “She’s got a big heart and a big future as well.

“I thought we didn’t have much left until I drew the whip and straightened her up a bit, and then she found another length.”

Maher and Eustace will now look at the autumn riches on offer in Sydney, including the A$1m Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on April 2 and the A$1m Group Two Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) on April 9.

“She was very strong late today,” Eustace said. “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 Sires’ is an obvious target – out to 1400 metres in three weeks – or the Percy Sykes.”

Ruthless Dame comes from a quality New Zealand family, being a daughter of Ruthless Lady (NZ) (Keeper), who is a stakes-placed half-sister to stakes winners Oracy (NZ) (Zabeel), The Lady (NZ) (Stravinsky) and Lady Maroal (NZ) (Power).

Maher and Eustace bought the filly at Karaka last year on the recommendation of Kawa Park’s Sarah Worker and Conor Fahy, who had both worked for the stable before returning to New Zealand.

Ruthless Dame was part of a Group Three treble across Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday for former Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock (NZ), who also sired the Matron Stakes (1600m) winner Flying Mascot (NZ) and the Sky High Stakes (2000m) winner Stockman (NZ).

Vendor	Curraghmore
Purchaser	Ciaron Maher Racing (Victoria)
Breeding	Tavistock – Ruthless Lady
Sale	Lot 86, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $90,000
Bred by	Go Bloodstock Australia Pty Ltd