Ruthven scored a head win in the 1800 metre Class Two event to post his first victory in Hong Kong since being purchased out of the Ciaron Maher stable last year.
The Domesday colt settled third on the rails behind a moderate tempo set by
Lucky Girl, with first-time rider Zac Purton allowing him to settle in a
perfect trailing position.Entering the straight, Ruthven was quickly out into clear air and was hard-ridden by Purton to chase down the leader and score a narrow victory.
"He did what we hoped today – we hoped to get a bit more fitness out of him, more mileage into his legs and I'm pleased, even though he only just won," Moore said. "The further he goes, the better, so he will appreciate the 2000m of the Derby and he's another good chance for us.
"Still, he's another one who will appreciate gelding. He's still a little thick in the wind so getting a bit of weight off will help him."
Domesday also featured at Flemington where his quality stakes mare Oregon's Day was a close second in the Group III VRC Frances Tressady Stakes.
Domesday has been a very popular addition to the Aquis Farm roster in Queensland and covered 141 mares last spring at a fee of $8,800, which was up significantly on the 104 mares he covered the previous year.
