Long wait, but Ruby gets the call

After a long enquiry with plenty to consider, Ruby Seddon (Majestic Son) was finally declared the winner of the Ryal Bush Transport Winter Rewards Handicap Trot at the Winton Harness Racing Club end of season meeting today (Jun. 30). 

The seven year old mare raced by the Central Courage Syndicate and trained by Doug McLachlan, broke early in the running, as did the second place getter Velocity Jet (Quaker Jet). Consequently there was a bit for the judiciary to get through and some phone conferencing to be had. 

Media and the syndicate manager had to wait patiently until McLachlan and Velocity Jet’s trainer Brett Gray emerged, both satisfied with the result of what Gray described as a fairly complex enquiry. 

Here’s the story.  

After 200 metres Ruby Seddon rolled into a break, losing a fair amount of ground, but she settled in eighth place. At the 1200 metres she was five back on the inside and driver Kirstin Green looked to be in trouble when Andover The Keys (Andover Hall) galloped in front of her. However she managed to ease Ruby Seddon off the running line before getting a run into the race on the back of Bill Bootit (Majestic Son). She then elected to move out four wide to follow Velocity Jet. Once Green released the ear plugs in the home straight, Ruby Seddon let down nicely to beat Velocity Jet by a neck. 

RUBY SEDDON REPLAY

Mc Lachlan said she thought once Ruby Seddon broke, that at least that was out of the way, as long as she hadn’t galloped for too long. 

Green and McLachlan go a long way back. Schillaci’s (Son Of Afella) win at Forbury Park in September 2000 was the first success for the pair. “I took her out of school virtually (laughter).” 

Ruby Seddon was initially trained by Nathan Williamson. 

“She came to me with some problems. Nathan had her and was having issues that needed some chiropractor work. He asked me whether I would take her but I ended up going over to his place. She improved and he sent her up to Christchurch for winter racing. When she came home the syndicate decided to send her to me so that’s how I ended up with her.” 

McLachlan said he knew the seven year old was in good shape for today’s $20,000 race.  

“When she went out to the track today her eyes were bright and her ears were pricked. So everything was in our favour.” 

The win was one of three for Green who earlier won on Mach’s Back (Mach Three) and outsider Santeria (Bettor’s Delight). Mach’s Back was trainer Gavin Forbes’ first win since March 2011 while Santeria was Eddie Murphy’s first win since February 2013. 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink