Sydney trip off for Glorious Ruby

By Glenn Davis

Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak has forced Brisbane-based trainer Bryan Dais to scrap a trip south for talented filly Glorious Ruby, who makes her long awaited comeback at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Glorious Ruby steps out for the first time since February in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Handicap over 1000 metres.

Dais was toying with the idea of sending Glorious Ruby to Sydney for the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes over 1200 metres at Randwick on Saturday week, if she performed well first-up this week. 

“I had no firm plans in mind but I was thinking about running her in the Silver Shadow on Saturday week if she ran well on Saturday,” Dais said.

“But, with Sydney in the middle of the Covid outbreak, I thought it best not to send her away as I would have to send a staff member as well.

“The main aim now is to get her ready for the Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast in January.

“She’s won more than $178,000 in prize money, so she should already be qualified.”

Glorious Ruby has not raced since finishing second to unbeaten Rockhampton filly Sweet Dolly in the QTIS Jewel Prelude over 1000 metres at the Sunshine Coast in late February.

The daughter of Your Song showed she was primed for a strong showing first-up with an easy barrier trial win over 1000 metres at Doomben last week.

“She sat wide in the trial and won very well,” Dais said.

“She’s ready to go and she’s been in work more than three months.”

Dais’ biggest concern with Glorious Ruby is her lack of experience racing at Eagle Farm.

“She’s never raced at Eagle Farm and a lot of people say you never know how they will go there until you try them,” he said.

“But I can’t see it being a big problem.”

Glorious Ruby has started only four times for two wins and as many seconds.

She was a $12,500 buy at a dispersal sale for the Estate of Eduardo Cojuangco at the Magic Millions National sale as a yearling.

Dais – formerly Kiwi-based – worked on many stud farms across the ditch before spending six years alongside former leading New Zealand trainers Dave and Paul O’Sullivan.

He helped prepare turf greats Horlicks and Surfers Paradise as well as star sprinter Mr Tiz and an endless stream of Group 1 horses while working for the O’Sullivans before arriving in Australia in 2000.