Another Group 1 title beckons for Ruokonen

Antti Ruokonen is looking to secure his second Group 1 harness racing triumph in just over a month when he prepares Keayang Kurki (Royalty For Life) in Sunday afternoon’s time-honoured Aldebaran Park Redwood Classic at Maryborough.

The Finnish-born horseman secured his maiden top-level glory in last month’s Vicbred Super Series claiming the two-year-old trotting fillies final with regular driver, Jason Lee at the controls.

“I was really lucky to do it with my first filly I have worked and that’s the second horse I been training myself and it’s a Group 1 winner, I was really happy,” Antti Ruokonen said.

“It is never easy to win Group 1 races, so it feels really good.”

The VicBred final success for Keayang Kurki was always on the agenda for the 31-year-old.

“That (VicBred) was always my target, but when I was watching the other fillies. I thought I probably can’t beat them,” he said.

“You always need some luck in those big races.”

Keayang Kurki has recovered well leading into Sunday afternoon’s $75,000 event after finishing third in last Saturday night’s Tatlow Stakes at Melton.

“She pulled up alright and she needed the run, we were probably a little bit under done heading into that race,” he said.

The standing start conditions attached to the 2190m event is a new challenge to the daughter of Hilary Hill.

“It will be a standing start and anything can happen and we hope everyone will behave,” he said.

“She had only one standing start trial and she felt pretty safe, but with Sunday it’s a little bit different with horses around and race day conditions.

“It’s a really strong field, but it’s always possible and it won’t be easy.”

Keayang Kurki has drawn seven for the 2190m event with Jason Lee to pilot the two-year-old.

“I am happy enough with the draw and I will leave it up to Jason (Lee) he has been driving her really well and he can decide what he wants to do,” Ruokonen said.

The Aldebaran Park Redwood Classic is one of two Group 1 features on a stacked nine-race Maryborough card which also includes the Community Bank Maryborough Gold Trotters Cup.

The Redwood Classic is set to go at 5.14pm.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria