At the end of last season there was a mass exodus of sprinting colts packed off to stud, but one whose connections have elected to push on with for another season of racing is Wild Ruler and he looked fit and focused at the Hawkesbury trials on Monday morning.
Prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden for a syndicate headed by Newgate Farm, China Horse Club and partners, Wild Ruler finished his three year-old season with wins in the Group II ATC Arrowfield Sprint and Roman Consul Stakes and a third in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes.
That record would have been more than enough to earn the son of Snitzel a place at stud, but the lure of the Everest and the chance to elevate himself to being a Group I winner looked a gamble well worth taking and this morning’s trial would certainly be reason for optimism.
Wild Ruler jumped well for Sam Clipperton then took a sit before chiming in with a powerful surge to the line to win his 900m heat by a neck under a hold over stakes-winner Adelong with Group I winner Trekking in third.
Oaks winner Duais also went around in the trial to stretch her legs finishing a quiet fifth.
A $525,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Kia Ora draft for China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock / WinStar, Wild Ruler has already won over $1.5million in prizemoney with the promise of more to come this season before his stud career eventually unfolds.
