Champion 3yo All Too Hard notched a pair of new winners and became the first freshman to sire a winner past a mile in Australia this season when Hard Ruler scored against the odds at Sale on Sunday.
Hard Ruler overcame a horror run in transit to overwhelm her rivals in the Duart Homestead Maiden Plate (1617m). Extricated from a pocket just in time by Damien Oliver, she joined the leaders five-abreast to win by a half-head in a blanket finish.
"That was pretty tricky," Oliver said. "She was going up in distance so I wanted to make it as comfortable as possible. The inside barrier didn't help and she felt awkward when they sprinted. She didn't make the turn either but really stretched out to the line."
Hard Ruler
is the 7th winner from All Too Hard's first crop and she saluted a day after
his promising youngster Éclair Sunshine scored a last-to-first victory at
Morphettville.
All Too Hard sired his latest winner from Adelaide 1950m winner Legislature (More Than Ready). She's a sister to G1 Champagne Stakes winner Carry On Cutie and a half-sister to Xandretta (Flying Spur).
Xandretta topped Day 1 of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale earlier this month with a $380,000 More Than Ready colt heading to Hong Kong.
Hard Ruler is trained by Mick Price for a partnership that includes a Champion Thoroughbreds syndicate and Vinery Stud.
"She's been screaming for time," Champions Racing Manager Suman Hedge said. "For her to win a 2yo race is a bonus for the owners because there's much better to come
"Her breeding and the way she goes about things indicates she wants more ground. She still has a way to go physically and we're looking long-term to staying races at the autumn carnivals."
Hard Ruler was the second 2yo new winner by All Too Hard on the weekend with Éclair Sunshine showing he'd learnt plenty from his previous preparation to score at Morphettville on Saturday.
The well backed Eclair Sunshine barged his way through a gap to score an impressive last-to-first victory in the West Adelaide Football Club Hcp (1050m) in what will be his sole start this time in.
Trainer Philip Stokes predicted he would run a big race at his first run back this campaign. "I like Eclair Sunshine," Stokes said. "He's always showed good ability and we've been trying to teach to relax in his races."
"He showed a good turn of foot first-up today," Stokes added. "I only brought him back into work to teach him a few things. He's going for a quick break this week. In and out and back for the spring carnival in Melbourne.
"I've got a few by All Too Hard and I'm a fan."
Eclair Sunshine's dam Miss Rangoon (USA) retired unraced and foaled BTC Classic-Gr.3 winner Platinum Kingdom first-up at stud. She's positive to All Too Hard on an October cover last year.
Stokes trains Éclair Sunshine for Macau-based owner Thomas Li. Bred by Greg Perry, he was sold through the Vinery draft at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions for $290,000.
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