New Zealand-bred filly Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) will attempt to add to her Group One haul when she heads to Eagle Farm on Saturday to contest the A$3 million Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
The daughter of Tavistock was a last-start winner of the Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville against older horses, and trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace elected to bypass likely favouritism in Gr.1 The Goodwood (1200m) in late May in favour of Queensland’s richest race.
“She’s great, she galloped Saturday morning up in Queensland and Ciaron is delighted with her,” Eustace told Racing HQ.
The Kiwi connection continues with expat New Zealand jockey Michael Dee riding the filly out of barrier nine, provided there are no scratchings.
“The draw’s pretty good,” Eustace said.
Ruthless Dame opened at double figure odds with bookmakers, with recent A$15 million The Everest (1200m) inclusion Think About It a dominant favourite at $2.80.
“I thought she was pretty overpriced considering her performance last start, and the fact that she’s lightly raced and still improving,” Eustace said.
“But we all know you need a lot of luck in the Stradbroke.”
