Ruysch tackled a mile for the first time at Nottingham yesterday. The daughter of Dutch Art had disappointed at Beverley when racing too freely in first time blinkers in soft ground there and we were hopeful of a better run with the headgear removed back on less testing ground.
She was slowly out of the stalls and was soon bustled along by Jimmy Quinn towards the rear of the field. She continued to travel on and off the bridle but her rider kept at her and she remained within striking distance as the field turned for home. As the field entered the final three furlongs Quinn entered the drive position and the filly began to make ground on the outside. As the final furlong loomed she continued to make ground and she had the leader Colorado Dream in her sights. She got on top in the last fifty yards and won by a neck with two and a half lengths back to Trogon the favourite in third.
The handicapper is likely to raise her four of five pounds for this win but now she has got her head in front, she could well overcome her new mark in the future. Despite racing lazily this was a good performance from our filly and she is not without ability, she may stay further at three.
Congratulations to Ruysch’s owner St Albans Bloodstock Limited. We are delighted she has got her head in front for you. Well done to all of the team at La Grange and a special mention must go to Jimmy Quinn who gave the filly an excellent ride. He also rode her out leading up to the race at home and did a very good job on her. He may nearly be as old as Ruysch’s namesake but he proved there is still plenty of life in him yet and she was the first leg of a double for him on the card.