Bernardini Blueblood Wins Group Two

A picture perfect ride by Danielle Johnson paved the way for progressive mare Ruud Not Too to score her biggest win when she took out the Group II Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie.

The victory capped a notable double for the four-year-old mare who had taken out the inaugural running of the Dunstan Feeds Rising Stars Championship Final at the venue just six days earlier. It was also the third victory on the day for both Johnson and trainer Stephen Marsh along with a second stakes victory for Albert Bosma's Go Racing syndicates.

In a race run at the expected torrid pace, Johnson used her good barrier draw to have the Bernardini mare tucked away on the fence throughout the early stages. She began to get serious as the field approached the home bend and shot the mare through along the inner as pacemaker Matimba wobbled away from the rail early in the run home.

As she did six days earlier, Ruud Not Too established a winning break which her rivals couldn't peg back as she went to the line a half length to the good of the fast finishing All Roads with Girl Of My Dreams clinging gamely to third.

Part-owner Ian Hogan was one of the members of the mare's Go Racing Ruud Not Too syndicate on track to witness the victory. Hogan, who had begun his association with Go Racing through a share in Listed Karaka Million winner Ruud Awakening, was quick to pay tribute to Albert Bosma and his team after the race.

"She's another good Bernardini, following on from Ruud Awakening, and we're just having so much fun with her," he said.

"It's such a professional organisation and we've had some great times with them."

Bosma, who started the day on a high through the win of Hasahalo in the Gr. 3 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes, was thrilled with the performance.

"It's a massive thrill on a big day and just a special feeling," he admitted.

"It's also a special effort from Stephen Marsh to back her up just six days after winning on Boxing Day and do the double.

"The owners have a very valuable mare now."

Ruud Not Too was a $220,000 NZB Premier purchase from the Cambridge Stud draft and is from an unraced half-sister to Group III winner Royal Asscher from Group III winner Diamond Cashel.

Bosma indicated Ruud Not Too would now be set for the Gr. 1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile at Trentham on the 28^th of January with a possible attempt at the Gr. 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in February also to be considered.

She is the 52^nd stakes-winner worldwide for Darley's high profile shuttler Bernardini, who stands in Kentucky this year at a fee of $US100,000. - NZ Racing Desk