A field of well-performed bluebloods contested Saturday's J
Erskine & P Carroll Hcp (1400m) at Flemington but progressive filly Fontein
Ruby saw them all off in style.
Having broken her maiden at her previous start at Sandown, Fontein
Ruby displayed an impressive turn of foot under Mark Zahra to defeat the
favourite Coram (Sebring) by a length with the royally bred Beluga Caviar (Redoute's
Choice) a long-neck back in third
Trainer Robert Smerdon said the daughter of Turffontein was
rapidly putting her wayward ways behind her.
"She's caused most of the problems herself with her attitude,"
Smerdon said.
"Very tough filly but she's got a bit of rubbish in her but
gradually she's come to our way and she's channelling that toughness into her
finish.
"There were some
colts there that I had a lot of respect for and I thought if she can stand up
against these horses we can plan for a black-type race down the track.
"It looks like she'll run further so there's a bit of scope
there.
"The dream's alive".
A $50,000 purchase by Aquanita Racing from the Blue Gum Farm
consignment at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling sale, Fontein Ruby is proving a
wonderful advertisement for her Group 1 winning sire Turffontein who stands at
Blue Gum Farm at a fee of $7,700.
Fontein Ruby is the fourth foal of the unraced Rubiton mare
Charming Ruby a three-quarter sister to dual WS Cox Plate hero Fields of Omagh
and a half-sister to 2-time Tristarc Stakes winner and multiple Group 1 placed
Infinite Grace (Prince of Birds).
