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FNQ's Ruby July aimed for Gold Coast honours

3 minute read

Talented North Queensland mare Ruby July will make a low-key comeback at Innisfail on Saturday ahead of a likely return trip to Brisbane.

Mr Michael Lee.
Mr Michael Lee. Picture: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Atherton trainer Michael Lee hasn't given Ruby July a barrier trial to prepare for her first-up assignment in the Open Handicap over 900 metres but is supremely confident the six-year-old will be ultra-competitive.

"I can't see any real danger to her and if she wins she'll go south for a QTIS race at the Gold Coast in March," Lee said.

The race Lee referred to is the Military Rose Plate, a set weights race for fillies and mare over 1100 metres at the Gold Coast on March 9.

Ruby July was bred by Lee and has started 23 times for 10 wins and three placings.

Her prize money haul is more than $200,000.

A daughter of Bel Esprit, Ruby July hasn't started since an emphatic win in the Country Stampede qualifier at her home track of Atherton in the middle of October last year. 

"She's put on a lot of weight and looks much stronger this campaign than in the past," Lee said.

"If she doesn't win this then she won't go south."

Lee has booked apprentice Jenna Edwards whose two kilogram claim will help offset her top weight of 63.5kgs. 

"I've had to start her off at Innisfail as I couldn't find a more suitable starting point for her," Lee said.

"There were no suitable 900 metre races for her, only 1200 metre ones.

"She's been in work about three months but hasn't had any trial for this race.

"She looks great and if she goes to Brisbane it'll be her third trip there."

Lee plans to send Ruby July to Eagle Farm trainer Chris Meagher who prepared her for two fourths from three starts at Eagle Farm and Doomben in March and April of last year.

Caloundra trainer Gary Duncan also had her for three starts a year earlier and was successful with her at Eagle Farm.

Lee, a former restaurateur, is yet to receive an offer to sell Ruby July, who is an older half-sister to her star stable mate Yes Dream.

Lee, who trains at Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands, was offered $300,00 to sell Yes Dream to Hong Kong after he won a three-year-old race at Eagle Farm in July of 2022.

"I've got three horses in work including Yes Dream and an unnamed younger half-sister who is in pre-training," he said.

"Up to 1200 metres, I think Ruby July is the best of them."


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