The Golden Slipper market was again given an almighty shake up when the Philip Stokes trained Wild Ruler colt Stretan Ruler put the Sydney juveniles to shame when thrashing them to win the$300,000 Group II ATC Silver Slipper (1100m) by a wide margin.
Stakes-placed at Caulfield back in the spring on debut, Stretan Ruler reappeared in the Group III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude finishing fourth behind Closer to Free and Guest House, with that duo coming out earlier today to run second and third in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes.
Scratched from the Blue Diamond after drawing an outside gate, Stretan Ruler came to Sydney as Plan B and it proved a winning move.
He travelled sweetly behind the leaders for Chad Schofield and swept clear of his rivals to win by three and half lengths over Stay Inside colt Eviction Notice with race favourite Hidrix hitting the line well for third place.
Phillip Stokes hasn’t saddled a winner in Sydney for a long time, so was delighted Stretan Ruler was able to execute his plan which ultimately leads to the Golden Slipper.
"I couldn't remember the last time I had been at Rosehill, I got a bit lost but I know where I am now,'' Stokes said.
"I've never had a Golden Slipper starter before, never been close, so this is a great thrill. He's a very exciting colt going forward.''
Remarkably as much as $101 was being bet by TAB Fixed Odds about Stretan Ruler for the Golden Slipper on Saturday morning, but after the Silver Slipper he was into second favouritism at $11.
Stretan Ruler will have another look at Rosehill in two weeks time with the Group II ATC Todman Stakes his likely next stepping stone.
"We will go two weeks to the Todman (Stakes), that seems to be the race that sets up well (for the Golden Slipper),'' Stokes said.
"I thought he was nearly there today. I just think the trip away now, he will take a lot of benefit from this, first time going Sydney way, too.
"I obviously thought enough of him to have him in the Blue Diamond, but we scratched because of the barrier (19). He's a very nice horse.''
Stretan Ruler was fitted with blinkers for his Sydney raid and Chad Schofield was more than happy with the result.
"He's got a very good turn of foot,'' Schofield said.
"The blinkers obviously sharpened him right up, he travelled well on a hot speed, and then accelerated sharply off that and was very strong through the line. He couldn't have been any more impressive.''
Stretan Ruler was a $220,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Willow Park Stud for Stokes Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock and is a half-brother to the Phillip Stokes trained glamour mare Stretan Angel, a multiple Group winner of $1.2million.
Bred by Cheval Properties Pty Ltd T/A Kirks Bridge Farm, he is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Sretan, a placed half-sister by Bernardini (USA) to the dam of Group winning stayer Alegron from Group III winner Pure Joy.
He is the first stakes-winner and second winner for Newgate Farm’s Group I winning Snitzel stallion Wild Ruler.
The current yearling from Sretan is a colt by Harry Angel (IRE) that made $540,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for Kirks Bridge Farm when bought by Equine Growth Fund / Blueblood Thoroughbreds / SP Bloodstock.
Sretan had a filly by Harry Angel (IRE) last spring and was then covered by European Horse of the Year City of Troy (USA) in his first season at Coolmore Australia.
