Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds' last-minute decision to buy an immature yearling filly could prove a masterstroke after her brother scored an impressive win at Ipswich.
The Edmonds trained Ruuca ($2.25 ) lived up to his good trial form and despite being green in the straight was far too strong for a field of two-year-old maidens.
Edmonds trains a smart horse called Usmanov who is by Choisir out of the broodmare Mining Tycoon and was sold for $350,000 as a yearling.
On the basis of Usmsnov's potential Edmonds then outlaid $150,000 for Ruuca who is by Rubick out of Mining Tycoon.
Edmonds was at the Inglis Classic Sale this year when he noticed Usmanov's sister in the catalogue.
“She was small and immature so I wasn't interested. Then at the last minute I bid on her and got her for $35,000,” he said.
“We will give her time and who knows? She does look cheap now.”
Edmonds will also be patient with Ruuca because he has a big opinion of him.
“I shouldn't say we won't go on with him this winter but a spell has been in the back of my mind all along,” Edmonds said.
“I really do think if we give him more time to mature he can be pretty good.”
Lyndhurst Stud's sire Better Than Ready edged closer to Spirit Of Boom's Queensland record of 19 individual winners for a first-season stallion when Wishfilly won.
Wishfilly ($4.40) ran almost a second slower than Ruuca but trainer Paul Butterworth believes her best will be as a three-year-old.
It was Better Than Ready's 16th individual winner with three months left in the season.