CIARON Maher will push forward with plans to run Ruthven in the $600,000 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on June 10, after an unlucky second placing in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville on Saturday.
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Ruthven was beaten half-a-length by the Darren Weir trained Volatile Mix in Adelaide’s group one classic. He ran third at his previous start in the Australian Jockey Club Derby at Randwick on April 1.
Maher said with an ounce of luck Ruthven could have won the 2500 metre race.
“It was a sensational run by Ruthven,” he said.
“I thought he was unlucky. I think we’ll send him up to Queensland for the winter. He's been up for a while but is running well.
“He's been so consistent during his career with a bit of luck he should have won more than two races.
“The Queensland Derby is the obvious race for him. We will not have to do much work with him to get him ready for Queensland.”
Ruthven took his stake earnings to more than $370,000 with the second placing.
Champion horseman John Allen won his second group one flat race with Volatile Mix’s victory in the $600,000 Derby.
The Queensland Derby is the obvious race.
- Ciaron Maher
The Irish born hoop showed his versatility winning the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase earlier this month.
