Ruby a gem in VOBIS Gold Reef

VOBIS Gold gallopers carved up a combined $920,000 while launching their latest Group 1 campaigns at the Victorian Owners & Breeders Raceday on Saturday.

Fontein Ruby will be set for the G1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on May 2 after a crowd-pleasing victory in the VOBIS Gold Reef at Caulfield.  And Trust In A Gust lost no admirers after a game first-up effort in the VOBIS Gold Sprint.

Trust In A Gust is in his final campaign before being retired to stand at Swettenham Stud and he will head to Brisbane for the G1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 9.

Fontein Ruby / TBV VOBIS Gold Reef (1600m)
Fontein Ruby sparked jubilant scenes when she forged away to the cheers of a large syndicate at Caulfield.

“She was going for the Auraria Stakes in Adelaide but I decided to stay home,” local trainer Robert Smerdon said after the front-running victory.  “You can’t ignore the VOBIS money – it’s a tremendous incentive.”

Fontein Ruby is by Blue Gum Farm stallion Turffontein and the Euroa stud sold her for $50,000 at the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier.  The VOBIS Gold pay-day increased her earnings to $1.05 million.

Fleur Fatale / VOBIS Gold Ingot (1200m)
TBV committee member Cathy Hains unveiled a filly for the future in the VOBIS Gold Ingot (1200m).

Her father David Hains bred Fleur Fatale and the Commands – Rose Ceremony filly races in the famous Kingston Town colours.  Rose Ceremony won the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes before retiring to Burnewang North Pastoral – the 970ha nursery Cathy operates on the Campaspe River near Rochester.

“Fleur Fatale has got untapped ability,” trainer Brent Stanley said.  “She’s in the paddock this week before coming back for the Thousand Guineas and Victoria Oaks.”

Red Bomber / VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m)
Family of the late John Hoare celebrated his life in racing with long-shot winner Red Bomber.  The Red Ransom gelding burst from the ruck to blouse out Group 1 star Trust In A Gust.

Hoare, who died last year, bred Red Bomber at Devon Park in Coldstream.  He was a long-standing TBV member and VOBIS advocate with the likes of Devon Princess (Gold Classic), Worth A Ransom (Gold Eldorado) and Making Mayhem (Gold Eureka Stockade).

His wife Betty races Red Bomber who had been out of form apart from a Peninsula Cup victory at Mornington in November.  “I didn’t think Trust In A Gust could be beaten,” trainer Mick Price said.  “My horse is an 88-rater against Group 1 winner under level weights but that’s what happens in this game.”

Zebrinz / Gallagher Bassett VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m)
Zebrinz looked a class act completing a winning hat-trick in the $250,000 finale to the Owners & Breeders Raceday.  He peeled off heels into the straight before lengthening to a two-length victory for Team Corstens.

“He’s done a fantastic job and this was his grand final this prep,” Troy Corstens said.  “He’s only small but he’s got a ticker.”

Modewarre based owner Bill Cockram bred Zebrinz at Shadow Glen Stud and sold him for $120,000 at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier.  The Sebring gelding is younger a half-brother to Sandown winner Sanjuan (Danehill Dancer) who went on to win at Listed level in Malaysia.

fleur fatale VOBIS rugFLEUR FATALE