Sunspeed newcomer Lucky Unicorn warmed up for the return of his G1 mare Capital Diamond (NZ) with another first-time winner at Avondale on Monday.

Lucky Ruby (NZ) broke her maiden for Matamata trainer Toby Autridge.  “She had been working well, had a good barrier draw and has come through the race really well. There are not many suitable races for her in the short term – an option is Matamata next Wednesday.”

As a young apprentice Autridge rose to fame when he finished second aboard Dandaleith in the 1978 Melbourne Cup, a half-neck behind New Zealand-bred Arwon. He retired after sustaining serious injuries in a race fall at Ruakaka in 1999.

Lucky Ruby (4m Lucky Unicorn – Roman Empress by Roman Empire) is a half-sister to the dam of G2 Waikato Guineas winner Castlzeberg (Castledale).  She is the 31st winner from her sire’s first two crops at Cambridge Stud.

Westbury Park owner Phil Ibbotson is standing Lucky Unicorn at his Pinjarra property after sealing a deal with Sir Patrick Hogan earlier this year. His first-up fee is $4,400 (inc gst).

Lucky Unicorn (Redoute’s Choice) started his race career with a brilliant sprint win at Sha Tin and was repatriated to Australia to claim a Listed victory in the Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne.

His Awapuni based mare Capital Diamond (NZ) is ready to resume at the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.  A Cambridge Stud homebred by Lucky Unicorn, she has won 3 races and been placed in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton, G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and G3 Desert Gold Stakes.

“She will have a quiet trial and go to Hastings,” trainer Lisa Latta said.  Capital Diamond will then return to Riccarton in November for the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.