Dallas Todywalla trained Ruffina recorded a spectacular win in the Gr 1 Poonawalla Breeders` Multi-Million, the biggest race for juveniles, the feature event of Sunday`s Mumbai races. The daughter of first season stallion Excellent Art, Ruffina confirmed her status as a horse of amazing talent when blasting the opposition with a blistering turn of foot which had everyone gasping in wonder. The three-year-old filly who is owned by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla in partnership is the second horse to win this race in the colours of the Poonawalla family. Her Excellency had won this race in 1997 in the same colours. The breath-taking win of Ruffina should surely boost the prospects of Poonawalla Stud Farm`s new resident stallion Excellent Art tremendously.
The Poonawalla Multi-Million has generally not favoured the favourites. Ruffina had won both her outings in great style, the last win suggesting that she was truly exceptional. Though the race was very competitive with quite a few emerging stars in the fray, Ruffina went to the post as a strong favourite. Bangalore challenger Tutankhamun and Awesome Hooves were next in demand.
Lincoln and Phoenix Falcon were the pace-setters as the field set out for the seven-furlong trip. There was drama being enacted in the mid-field where both Tutankhamun and Ruffina were placed. Suraj Narredu kept Ruffina on the inside till approaching the final bend. David Allan showed tactical brilliance when he sold a dummy to Suraj by changing his mind swiftly by electing to come on the outside of Suraj who was astride Tutankhamun. Suraj perhaps was anticipating David to come on the inside of him but found himself denied a clear when Ruffina came on the outside of him. Tutankhamun was fractionally balked for an opening even as Ruffina came up with giant strides and went storming clear with 300 metres left in the race. Tutankhamun went in chase of the favourite but the task was a futile win as Ruffina showed tremendous acceleration which she easily sustained till going past the winning post. Tutankhamun was a well-beaten second ahead of Timeless and Perfect Star. The winner clocked an excellent time of one minute 22.02 seconds. There should be no problem in tackling the extended trip of the Guineas and Ruffina should be a force to reckon with in the Fillies Classic depending on where her connections target the extremely talented filly. Ruffina simply outclassed the opposition with an a mind-boggling performance. Jockey David Allan was equal to the task displaying tremendous confidence and tactical sense and swelled the list of successes in big races in India.
