Talented three-year-old filly, Ravishing Ruby, makes her return to Tasmania in Launceston on Sunday afternoon with unfinished business.
The Emma Stewart-trained daughter of Always B Miki and The Blue Beat began her career in the Sweepstakes Series last year, winning her heat before being beaten as a $1.14 favourite in the $30,000 Final.
The winner of that Final, Zoe Ella, franked the form with a Hobart victory last Wednesday, and Ravishing Ruby has been brought up to the mark for Sunday’s assignment with a first-up victory in a NR up to 57 race at Melton on 7 March.
Tarn Ford will take the reins on Sunday, with barrier 5 in the no more than two lifetime wins event (1680m).
“Ravishing Ruby looks to have plenty of upside and looks really well placed by Emma,” said Tarn Ford.
Ford will also team up with another of Stewart’s fillies in race 5, My Bettor Half, who she drove to victory last outing at the track and distance (1680m). Ford sat outside the leader and was far too classy for her opposition in a handy mile rate of 1:57.6.
“I was really impressed with My Bettor Half last week, and a repeat of that performance will be very hard to beat.”
The Emma Stewart pair will likely both be at the head of the market, but looking for more value, Ford thinks Major Lester can give a sight in the Family Fun Saturday 4 April Pace (2200m).
“Major Lester is a very consistent horse with good standing start manners, which should allow him to settle into a handy position. With the right run, he should be in the finish,” Ford said.
Ford was part of Tasmania’s recent Team Teal campaign, which raised $7,800 for WomenCan fundraising to support gynaecological cancer research.
Four of Ford’s 105 career victories came within the period where Tasracing contributed $200 for every winner by a female trainer or driver on a Tasmanian racetrack.
“It’s incredibly special to be part of Team Teal and support such an important cause. It means a lot for all of us female drivers to come together and know that every winner means a little bit more.”
