Godolphin’s 4-year-old Ribchester (IRE) mare Red Card made it three wins from as many starts over the Rosehill 1100m when making all the running in Saturday’s Group III City Tattersalls Group III Maurice McCarten Stakes.
Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus for James Cummings, Red Card defeated the 3-year-old Russian Revolution colt Libertad by three-quarters of a length with the I Am Invincible gelding Airman a long-neck back in third.
Twice a Listed stakes winner last season, Red Card advances her record to eight wins and two seconds from 16 starts with earnings of $721,725.
“She has been able to settle this preparation because the staff have put a lot of work into her,” Cummings revealed.
“I was very close to scratching as I strongly preferred running next week (in The Galaxy).”
“But you listen to your team, and my assistant trainer at the farm was bullish about running today. (form expert) Dominic (Beirne) was quick to remind me that she wouldn’t be that well-handicapped next week.
“She still had to go up five pounds for the win three weeks ago, but nevertheless, she keeps picking up and doing well and relaxing at the right time.
“I love the fact I’ve got four weeks to the Sapphire (Stakes). It’s set weights and penalties and she will be beautifully weighted there and should be a legitimate contender for us during the carnival, provided we don’t have a last-minute thought to throw her into the ‘noms’ for The Galaxy.
“But I think the Sapphire is the right race for her.
“It’s one of the beauties of having a horse going places; you’ve got champagne problems.”
Red Card is the first foal of the winning Street Cry (IRE) mare Penalty, a $20,000 purchase for Yulong when consigned by Godolphin to the 2020 National Broodmare Sale when carrying an Exosphere colt.
A half-sister to Group III Widden Stakes winner Amercement, Penalty has a yearling filly and filly foal by Tagaloa.
Last season she missed to Pierata and Alabama Express before visiting Written Tycoon in December.
Red Card is one of ten stakes winners for Ribchester(IRE). The son of Iffraaj shuttles to Haunui Farm.
