John O'Riordan
Rubies Are Red finally gets her day in the sun
Rubies Are Red and Ryan Moore
© Photo Healy Racing
The well-bred Rubies Are Red enhanced her breeding value when striking at the 10th time of asking in the Bill Hanlon Memorial Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.
Third in a Galway maiden on her only start at two, the full-sister to multiple Group winners picked up her own black type when runner-up in the Lingfield Oaks Trial in May.
However, having found life tougher when raised in class on her next three starts, the daughter of Galileo was somewhat disappointing when failing to win her maiden on three subsequent outings.
Sent off 2/1f this afternoon, the Ryan Moore partnered filly tracked the leaders throughout. Moving second in pursuit of leader Elana Osario over a furlong out, the eventual winner had to work hard before getting up close home to win by three-quarters-of-a-length.
“He gave her a class ride, as always. She has a lot of ability and Ryan said she'd be way better in a better race,” said Aidan O'Brien.
“That's important for her. There is probably not much left for her, there is the Finale Stakes back here on the last day and we might see her again in that.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.