Chasing Blue Riband glory

NEXT month's Victoria Derby is the first major target for promising youngster Ruff Nut.

Continuing his impressive form with a win in Melton last Saturday night, Ruff Nut has been aimed at the Blue Riband by trainer Aaron Dunn.

Australia's oldest classic, the Derby is scheduled to be conducted at the same venue on October 18, with heats the previous week.

Ruff Nut has won three of his last four starts, while finishing third in the other.

"The Derby is where he is heading," Dunn said. "He's racing in terrific form and deserves a crack at it.

"I'll find another race for him somewhere between now and the heats just to keep him ticking along.

"I'm also heading that way with Forty Love, which I felt went better than Ruff Nut even though he only finished third in his race."

With Dunn in the cart, Ruff Nut worked to the lead from barrier four before staving off a late challenge from Heza Punk Rocker to score by a short half-head.

All Da Rage was two metres away third in 1:54.7 over 1720 metres.

"It was a good win, but I didn't think he was as sharp as he should've been," Dunn said. "I had to get up him a bit and felt like he went better at his previous run when third.

"I'll give him a few easy days and I'm sure he will be right."