Lightly-Raced Mare Back With A Bang

Lightly-Raced Mare Back With A Bang

Nov 08, 2015

From Racenet

The Anthony Cummings-trained Rule The River upstaged more experienced opposition in the De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury on Saturday.

The Anthony Cummings-trained Rule The River records a first-up win at Canterbury on Saturday. Photo:Steve Hart

Rule The River had only been to the races on three occasions prior to Saturday while her eight rivals had 97 race starts between them.

Amongst those three starts was a Gosford win and a second at Randwick more than 10 months ago.

The daughter of Commands had trialled twice in preparation for Saturday’s race however stable foreman Ed Cummings admitted he was unsure of the mare’s fitness levels after the extended break.

"We were a little bit wary of her not being quite ready first-up, especially how she paraded pre-race,” Cummings said.

"But the class was never a concern – we’ve always felt like she’s got a lot of class.

"She’s taken a bit of time this prep but we’ve always been mindful of giving her the time to reach her potential.

"It’s been nothing serious, she’s just needed time.”

Ridden by Jason Collett, Rule The River ($5.50) box-seated in the benchmark 78 contest and surged along the fence in the straight to claim a one length victory over the Gai Waterhouse-trained Festivity ($4.60 fav). Magnajoy ($9), from the Jarrod Austin stable, finished another half neck back in third.