Futooh opens account at Randwick

Jockey Jason Collet (right) rides Futooh to win the TAB Handicap at Royal Randwick.

Transferring the Australian Turf Club meeting from Warwick Farm and Randwick has played out perfectly for maiden-breaking filly Futooh.

The two-year-old clearly appreciated the wider open spaces as she won at the second attempt for the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig training partnership.

“We were really glad when they moved from Warwick Farm to Randwick. The rise gave her time to balance up and she was strong late,” said stable representative Ryan Roberts.

Racing NSW stewards opted to move the meeting early in the week after a heatwave was predicted in Sydney’s southwest.

The Sebring filly debuted at Warwick Farm in hot conditions on December 23, finishing fourth over 1200m, and despite another wide barrier she powered home to win by half-a-length in the TAB Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.

“We came here with a lot of confidence. The barrier draw hindered what she could do. We had to go back again but she’s a filly who’s taken a lot of improvement from her first run,” Roberts said.

“She’ll be better once she gets over the seven furlongs.”

Futooh ($6.50) edged clear of Ligulate ($12) at the 50 while Sokudo ($5) was 1-3/4 lengths adrift in third.

Roberts said Futooh would now return to Melbourne where David Hayes would ponder her next move.

Jason Collett, who also rode Aqua D’ivina to victory in the ATC Owners Benefit Card Handicap (1400m) in the first race, thought Futooh had a bright future.

“She was spot on. She went back from the gate and she was patient around the bend,” he said.

“When I exposed her she was pretty explosive, she’s on the way up.”