Sunshine Stars Sale continues to produce winners

Tuesday’s two-year-old race at The Creek saw another graduate of the 2023 Nutrien Sunshine Stars Sale register their first victory.

The Grant Dixon trained, and driven Ruby Rules showed good speed from the start to work to the front, take control and was never headed thereafter.

Finishing unplaced on debut just seven days prior where the outside front-line gate proved a hurdle too high, the filly made the most of the improved barrier draw second up with an impressive victory.

With an opening quarter in 28 and then able to pinch a cheap 31.1 second split, Dixon slowly dialled up the tempo through a 28.9 third split, with Ruby Rules having plenty left for the run to the judge.

Sprinting hard up the stretch, the Ohoka Punter filly closed it off in a slick 26.8 last panel, putting the race beyond the reach of the chasing pack.

Harleequin, which was having her first Queensland start for Shannon Price finished in second place, with that filly also a graduate of the Sunshine Stars Sale.

Ruby Rules following her victory

Ruby Rules was the third Sunshine Stars graduate to break maiden ranks in the past seven days, with another pair of Grant Dixon trained two-year-olds claiming a breakthrough win.

On Wednesday night, Reserve Bank claimed his first win at Redcliffe and was followed on Thursday afternoon by stablemate Fifty Each Way.

The latest graduate victory takes the tally to 35 winners from the inaugural sale, as the first Nutrien Sunshine Stars Classic race series approaches in November.

Trainers and owners should familiarise themselves with the eligibility, conditions and nomination procedures for the Classic’s, with the big night of Finals to be held November 16.

Horses can only be nominated for ONE race series, either the $125k Classics or the $50k complementary race (if an eligible less than $25k purchase).

Check eligibility here.