Punters who backed Idyllic Ruler in the Northam Quality Maiden (1400m) on Thursday were spared any anxious moments when jockey Jason Brown sent the short-priced favourite to a winning lead half-way down the straight.
Idyllic Ruler is a 3yo son of Scenic Lodge sire Universal Ruler and the front-running victory was a timely birthday present for trainer Jim Taylor’s mother Lois. It was also a first for part-owner Symon Brown in the green and gold colours of his late father.
Scenic Lodge bred and sold Idyllic Ruler (Photo / Western Racepix) for $46,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. His dam Crystal Gardens (Blackfriars) won at Ascot for Adam Durrant and she has a 2yo colt by Universal Ruler.
His cross with mares by Blackfriars numbers 24 individual winners at a 62% strike-rate.
Taylor also trains Ginnivan who took an early lead for Universal Ruler 3yo winners this season with an $84,540 payday at Belmont in August.
Universal Ruler had presented a promising pair of unraced 3yo geldings to win Lark Hill trials over 950m last Monday.
Hezangelic was in a hit-out of his own after opening up an early three-length lead and maintaining that margin until easing up for Natasha Faithfull.
Hezangelic is trained by Pearce Racing and holds a nom for the LR Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 18. He’s the first foal of Ascot winner Tips And Scandals (Scandal Keeper) who is an older half-sister the stable’s Universal Ruler Stakes winner Angelic Ruler (LR Rangeview Stud Classic & LR Sheila Gwynne Classic).
Good Measure was also impressive in his trial albeit by a narrow margin under Chris Parnham in a competitive finish. He’s trained by Michael Lane for owner-breeders Forest View Farm who used Universal Ruler over their High Chaparral mare Arazona.
Second-dam Flamingo Guitar is a USA-bred daughter of Storm Cat who won a Naas maiden in Ireland for Coolmore supremo John Magnier. She is a full-sister to G2 Louisiana Downs Derby winner Fantasticat.
Impressive Racing’s Darren McAuliffe prepared Universal Ruler and he has sent out more winners by the Scenic Lodge stallion than any other trainer. His homebred 3yo gelding Masamune can join that roll-call in the Lexus Of Perth Hcp (1200m) at Ascot on Wednesday.
Masamune’s dam Shibata (Testa Rossa) is an unraced half-sister to stakes winners Kidnapped (G1 South Australian Derby), Academus (G2 WA Guineas) and Hauraki (G2 Tulloch Stakes).
Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler for $7,500 alongside Dash For Cash for $2,000. Service fees (plus GST). For bookings or further information, contact Jeremy Smith on (08) 9571 0155 or 0419 943 356.
