Levi's metro win with Soho Ruby

Soho Ruby was too strong, impressively leading all the way down the straight to give trainer Levi Kavanagh a thrill with his second metropolitan win and first Saturday city win at Sandown last weekend.

Looking in great condition the filly was the pick of the yard, before dominantly winning Race 7 the Le Pine Funerals Handicap over 1600 metres.

“We were very happy to get her here, she has been close in her last couple of starts and she has come on and was suited to the mile today,” Kavanagh said.

“I wanted to get her to stakes grade as a three year old filly, there is still plenty of time, and it’s fantastic to see her so strong here today.”

Taking the reins, jockey Steven Baster was also chuffed with the win.

“It was great to see her win for Levi and it was very well deserved for her”, said Baster.

Soho Ruby has pulled up exceptionally well from her gallant performance and while she is happy at trackwork, and racing in good form, Soho Ruby will be aimed for the Rivette Race Series for 3YOs.

By earning points in a number of heats, Kavanagh will aim to qualify Soho Ruby for the $120,000 series final. Suiting her current form, the final race is run at Flemington on Saturday 8th July for 3YO fillies over 1600 metres.

Liking the filly from the start, Soho Ruby was purchased by Kavanagh Racing for $190,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale through the Segenhoe Stud draft.

She was bred by respected horse woman Sally Watkins, owner and manager at Willaroon, a spelling and breeding operation near Benalla.

Watkins bought the mare Red Rapture in foal with Soho Ruby from Vinery Stud the year Northern Meteor died.

“Red Rapture was a really lovely mare, and they were flying at the time, I was just very lucky,” Watkins said.

Being a difficult breeder for the next couple of years, Watkins has kept Red Rapture close to home. She has now got a lovely filly on the ground by Woodside Park Stud stallion Zoustar, who is a three-quarter-sister to Soho Ruby and very similar, if not better in type.

Watkins is a firm believer in supporting the Victorian breeding industry.

“If we don’t support the people who are bringing stallions here, there is no way we are going to get the quality stallions in Victoria,” Watkins said.

Cara Kavanagh, Levi’s wife and a part owner of Soho Ruby, looks after Marketing & Communications at Woodside Park Stud, and will be no doubt excited to see the Zoustar filly race in the future.

Soho Ruby was greeted by enthusiastic owners on her return to scales and is co-owned by long-time stable supporters, Collins St Partners, Mr B N Griffith, Mr T J Storey, W B C L Racing (D Folly), Mr G Ma, Mr B Oliver, Fellowship (S Watt), along with Isobel, Kavanagh’s mother and wife Cara.