The Ruffian completed a Top End classic double when he cruised home an easy winner of the Northern Territory Derby (2000m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

The Ruffian (3g Lonhro – Rose Of Danehill by Danehill) started a $2.10 favourite and there was never any cause for concern in running.  He was in the second-half of the field at the half-mile but gave the leaders windburn when he went whoosh in the straight.  

The Derby followed a similar victory in the Darwin Guineas earlier this month.  The Sheila Arnold-trained gelding is sure to start a short-priced favourite in the $175,000 Darwin Cup (2000m) on August 1.

Owner Bill Mumford will also bank a $100,000 bonus if he competes the Triple Crown.  Previous winners of the feature treble have been Brinney (1989) and Ventilago (1996).

The Ruffian is thriving in the Top End for Mumford who also raced 2009 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort.  “I’ve attended every Darwin Cup carnival since 1986,” he said.  “It’s a great feeling and I’m on top of the world.”

The Lonhro gelding was transferred to trainer Sheila Arnold shortly after winning the Albury Guineas for Lee Freedman in March.

The Ruffian had won on debut at Kyneton in March 2010 and he also earned black-type when placed in the G3 South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes and LR McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Freedman also trained his dam Rose Of Danehill to G2 wins in the VRC Kewney Stakes and Edward Manifold Stakes.  She is a half-sister to G1 MVRC William Reid Stakes winner Wrap Around (Bletchingly).

Rose Of Danehill has a yearling filly by Red Ransom but missed to Street Cry the following year.  She was bred back to him at Darley Kelvinside in October.