Ultraflame saved all the ground under jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson before surging up the rail to a convincing first stakes win in Wednesday night’s $125,000 Deputy Minister Stakes, at Woodbine.

Trained by John Ross for his J R Racing Stable, the ultra-consistent Ultraflame has finished off the board just once in nine career starts. The Deputy Minister, a seven furlong tilt for Ontario-sired sophomores, was the sixth attempt at winning an added-money event for the Old Forester bay after trying his luck in the Clarendon (5th), Simcoe (3rd), Frost King (2nd), Queenston (3rd) and Bold Ruckus (3rd.)

Sent to post as the 5-2 second choice in the Deputy Minister, Ultraflame secured position from his inside post in a field of five but was shuffled back after pacesetter Ruth Less Blue ducked in slightly coming out of the chute. Ruth Less Blue set splits of :23.28 and :46.05 under pressure from race favourite Songs and Laughter, with Wilson content to wait for racing room along the rail.

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