Staying Great Mepunga Ruby Off To Breeding Barn

A FLARE-UP of a previous hock injury after her fourth in Saturday night's Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers has convinced connections to retire staying great Mepunga Ruby.

Mepunga Ruby (Fernando Bale-Mepunga Rosie) ends her wondrous career with 50 starts for 25 wins and 15 placings for $568,000 in stakes.

Bred, reared and raced by Barry Smith, she was trained throughout her career by Jeff Britton.

“I took some Barcia Bale pups down to Jeff on Sunday for him to train and he brought Mepunga Ruby out and she was sore in the hock she injured back in June last year,” said Barry.

“Jeff said he could probably get it right and she could race again.

Mepunga Ruby broke their hearts in the NSW GBOTA Summer Distance Plate tonight at Wentworth Park Greyhounds to win in a hot 41.64 with kennel mate Hank The Hustler in 2nd and Stanley Road 3rd.

Full Results: https://t.co/gLU0tu2NJW…#thedogs #wentypark #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/CueEIsLJUF

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) January 22, 2022

“But at four, we both quickly agreed she has done enough for us all.

“I brought her home with me on Sunday.”

Mepunga Ruby won the G1 Super Stayers, the G2 Summer Distance Plate, the G3 Speed Star and the G3 Albion Park Gold Cup.

She was second in the G1 Sale Cup, G1 WA Galaxy, G1 Topgun Stayers, G1 Bold Trease, G1 Association Cup and G3 Xmas Cheer.

WHAT A FINISH ?

Just when Gypsy Wyong looked long gone, Mepunga Ruby turned on the jets and powered home for a stunning victory! pic.twitter.com/UKBrNIRArT

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) November 19, 2021

She was a finalist in the G1 Topgun Stayers, G1 Zoom Top twice, the G1 Sandown Cup and last Saturday night's G1 Super Stayers again.

“I kept only two out of that litter,” said Barry. “The other is Mepunga Warrior and he's won 22 races and $236,000.

“I kept them because they were black and that is the colour of their mother Mepunga Rosie.

“It's been a great line and most of those from the line are black.”

Barry has not made up his mind about a sire for Mepunga Ruby but is considering his own dog Mepunga Blazer.

2023 @GarrardsHnH Gold Cup Final 710m

1st: Mepunga Ruby (3)
2nd: Korda (4)
3rd: Sorority (7)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomaumedia @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @SEN_track @MMcInallyPhotos pic.twitter.com/I0rFv5vZkY

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) February 2, 2023

“His pups are good chasers and they are strong,” said Barry.

“I've got my eye on some nice young dogs but they have got to prove themselves first.”

The Mepunga Blazer/Fernando Bale cross is already proven to Group 1 level via highly promising young stayer Korda.