A brilliant debut winner at Bendigo last month, Ruthven was sent out favourite
for the 1400 metre Benchmark 64 event against older rivals.He did a good job for Luke Nolen to kick away and hold his pursuers at bay to win by a long neck to remain unbeaten.
Retained to race by his breeder, Ruthven is the fifth winner from five to race from Octagonal mare Ruddigore, who was offered in a Darley Reduction at the 2009 Inglis March Thoroughbred Sale where she made $10,000.
From the same stable as Caulfield Cup winner Jameka, Ruthven looks a promising type for proven Group I sire Domesday, who is busy covering mares at Aquis Farm in Queensland this spring at a fee of $8,800.
