Scenic Lodge resident Universal Ruler sired a running double to open Belmont’s midweek meeting last Wednesday with his 2yo gelding Mohegan Ruler and 3yo filly En Plein Air.
En Plein Air was a TBWA winner of the Week in May as was Universal Ruler 3yo Ginnivan in June. Mohegan Ruler joins them this month following a convincing debut victory in the Swan Draught Hcp (1200m).
He started in the red following two trial wins at Lark Hill and Willie Pike rode him like an odds-on favourite. Taken in hand after jumping to the front, he had the drop on leading pair The Top Bar (Sessions) and Coondale (Ducimus) before letting down like a horse going places.
Just like his older half-brother Tellem We’re Comin (Blackfriars) who won a 3yo maiden first-up for owner-breeder Elio Galante before progressing to Listed victories in the Hannans Hcp (1400m), Northam Cup (1600m) and Farnley Quality (1400m).
“Mohegan Ruler proved too classy on debut,” Team Williams posted. “He’s following in the early footsteps of his stakes-winning brother.”
He was the 97th winner of the season for Grant & Alana Williams and they hold an unbeatable lead for the 2004-05 WA Trainers Premiership over second-placed Pearce Racing (73 wins).
His dam Bonny Bonny won a dozen races in Perth and Kalgoorlie for Galante and his wife Jacqui and she has foaled five winners in their colours. Her latest delivery is a Universal Ruler filly foaled last September.
Mohegan Ruler is one of 184 individual winners of 614 races by Universal Ruler. Surprisingly, he’s the sire’s first 2yo winner of the season among a half-dozen trial winners. Universal Ruler will cover a limited book of home-based mares at Scenic Lodge this year.
