By JASON ADAMS
RUFF Cut Diamond announced herself as one of the staying stars of the future, claiming her ninth career win at Sandown Park on Thursday night.
Beginning from box three, Ruff Cut Diamond set a hot early tempo to lead by four lengths first time past the post, before extending the gap to win by six lengths in a blistering 41.52.
The time is one of the fastest ever set over the 715m at Sandown Park, however it came as no surprise to her trainer Mick Fearnley.
“She’s been racing without any luck of late, it was starting to become a bit frustrating, though with a clear run and a bit of luck I knew she could run some super-fast times”, said Fearnley.
The run was Ruff Cut Diamond’s second over the distance having weakened late in her first attempt, however Fearnley was never in doubt she would succeed over the trip.
“She’s run 29.26 over the sprint distance, though I’ve always said she’s a stayer competing in sprint races”.
With the $600,000 TAB Melbourne Cup just two months away, Fearnley decided to bypass the series, instead deciding to set his chaser for the Group 1 SOLO Bold Trease.
“I won’t be bringing her back in distance for the Melbourne Cup, she’ll be heading to the Bold Trease, we might also consider the Sale Cup in December” said Fearnley.
Fearnley isn’t the only one with a high opinion of the greyhound, with owner David Llewellyn having received countless offers for the promising stayer.
“David has received some pretty big offers for her, though we’re not giving this one up – she’s a keeper”.
