Ruby Roe’s owners pay late fee for Ladyship

The connections of Southland harness racing filly Ruby Roe (Captaintreacherous) have paid a late entry fee to race in Friday night’s G2 Caduceus Club Three Year Old Fillies Ladyship Stakes in Auckland.

After looking at the Auckland Trotting Club website the horse’s trainer Nathan Williamson thought both Ruby Roe and Flying Ellie (Art Major) were eligible for Friday night’s feature but was informed they weren’t, and that the owners of both fillies would have to pay a late entry fee to start.

Ruby Roe’s owners John and Katrina Price chose to pay the fee while Flying Ellie connections opted to bypass it and start in a ratings race before both fillies tackle the G1 $110,000 Northern Oaks on 22^nd March.

The Ladyship Stakes is part of the Sires Stakes Series and as successful breeders the Prices could see the residual value in having Ruby Roe performing well in this type of race to enhance her pedigree page.

“If you run a place in a Group race it adds so much value to the first foal,” John said.

Friday will be the first time Ruby Roe will run right handed but Price says Williamson doesn’t have any concerns.

“He said she’s slightly better that way round.”

The couple will travel to Auckland on Friday to see their filly race.

“You don’t race in Group races all the time and especially because we’ve paid to get her in.”

He says the horses will fly back to Christchurch on the Monday after the Northern Oaks giving Williamson plenty of time to prepare for the Southern Oaks at Ascot Park on Sunday 21^st April.

John and Katrina tasted success in Auckland on Friday when Confederate (Bettor’s Delight) which they sold for $240,000 won on debut for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. They’ve retained a small share in the two year old.

“He was a bit disappointing when he qualified. We got a message from Barry to say he’d come on since and worked well. He said he just had to step up a bit, but it looks like he probably has now.”

Another Williamson trained runner Dreams Are Free, (Captaintreacherous) is also on the flight north tonight out of Christchurch and will start in the first heat of the Garrards Sires Stakes Series on Friday.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink