Fontein Ruby beats the boys at Flemington

Saturday 9 August 2014, 3:28pm

Fontein Ruby's win against colts and geldings at Flemington has trainer Robert Smerdon considering feature spring fillies' races for the three-year-old.

Fontein Ruby was the only filly in Saturday's Joyann Erskine & Philip Carroll Handicap but came away with the victory in the 1410-metre event.

It was Fontein Ruby's second win in as many starts after going winless in her first five starts.

Smerdon believes the filly is starting to turn her fortunes around after her attitude had caused problems.

Fontein Ruby was sent back to the trials last month after being scratched because of her barrier manners at Geelong.

Smerdon has since applied gear changes and the filly has now won at Sandown and Flemington in consecutive starts.

"She has caused most of her problems because of her attitude," Smerdon said.

"She's a very tough filly but has got a bit of rubbish in her.

"Gradually she is coming around and she is channelling that determination and toughness into her finish I think."

Fontein Ruby, ridden by Mark Zahra, settled midfield with favourite Coram behind her.

Coram made his move on the outside in the straight and went past Fontein Ruby but the filly responded to score by a length.

Beluga Caviar, who is closely related to Black Caviar, was a long neck away third after sitting on speed in his second start while Raposo was held up behind horses in the straight and finished fourth.

Fontein Ruby is nominated for the Group One Thousand Guineas and Smerdon said the filly had earned another shot at stakes racing.

"There were some colts in the race today that I had a lot of respect for and I thought if she could stand up against those horses today then we can plan for a black-type race down the track," Smerdon said.

– AAP

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