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Ruby Armani may be the next covergirl

3 minute read

Internationally-renowned supermodel Kylie Bax is fast becoming the new face of racehorse syndication.

Trainer - Mike Moroney
Trainer - Mike Moroney Picture: Darryl Sherer

Bax has put together syndicates to race two horses and both have won on debut in the past nine weeks.

Now she could get her next big breakthrough when Ruby Armani steps out for the first time in group company in Saturday's Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie.

Bax, who bred Makfi filly Ruby Armani in partnership with her parents, Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax, who run Matamata studfarm Blandford Lodge, and Ian Troughton, is still coming to terms with the flying start her syndicated horses have made.

"It's been a thrill; absolutely unbelievable," Cambridge-based Bax said.

"Ruby has a fantastic pedigree, a family Dad and I have worked hard to establish over the years. We knew when she got broken in by Jeremy Whale at Diamond Lodge that she had it all going on.

"When we first saw her galloping across the paddock, it was jaw-dropping. There's just something about her. It was such a thrill when she won on debut and she's run really well since. This race is a big step up but we think she's ready for it."

Prepared by Matamata's Chad Ormsby and Michael Moroney, Ruby Armani followed her Tauranga win in October with a luckless third at Rotorua before she was tested at stakes company in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial, in which she ran a creditable fifth behind Eight Carat rival Alamer.

She finished fourth to another Eight Carat rival Ruud Not Too at Te Rapa last week to round out her preparation.

"It's such a strong field on Boxing Day but I'm hoping for another good run and I'm hoping for a good track," Bax said.

"She won on a good track and her last couple of runs have been on dead tracks so we think a better track will help. If she can take up a good position from the ace draw, I can see her coming home well again. I can see her running in the top five."

Bax said she had received glowing reports from Ormsby about the Ruby Armani's track gallops and her six shareholders were all excited about the Boxing Day feature.

No decision on whether she would back up in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day would be made till after the Eight Carat Classic.

Bax's other winner was Hot In High Heels, who won at Matamata last week for Matamata trainer Phillip Stevens.


NZ Racing News

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