Aztec Ruler is the leading earner for Scenic Lodge stallion Universal Ruler this season and he’s odds-on to increase that margin in the $100,000 TABtouch Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday.
Trainer Stephen Vahala intended spelling Aztec Ruler next week but will reconsider that initial plan if his stable star completes a Belmont hat-trick tomorrow. The Pinnacles prizemoney is just too big a lure to be watching from the sidelines.
“I will definitely discuss it with the owners if he comes out and wins well again,” Vahala said. “He’s loves racing and it would be hard to put him back in the paddock now.”
Aztec Ruler (Photo / Western Racepix) is one of 9 individual winners by Universal Ruler this season and they’ve earned $543,332 to send him to the top the WA sires’ premiership.
His last-start Belmont winner Ruling Dame will kick-off Saturday’s city meeting as the opening $2.90 favourite for the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1600m). She missed the start over 1400m a fortnight ago before letting down in the straight to claim the leaders late under Clint Johnston-Porter.
Ruling Dame had won a Kalgoorlie maiden for Nick Carapellotti this time last year before transferring to Dan Morton. “We fitted a norton-bit because she can be a hard-puller and that’s helped her relax,” stable foreman Vinnie Collica said. “We left it up to CJP and he elected to go back and then peel out. She did a great job.”
The Darren McAuliffe-bred mare is a full-sister to the city winners Dictator and Furious Dame and a half-sister to LR Melvista Stakes placegetter The Big Show (Frost Giant). Their dam Furocitee (Dante’s Fury) was placed in a LR Belmont Guineas and her latest foal is a colt by Nicconi.
The David Harrison-trained 3yo filly Charlie Jane is another last-start Universal Ruler winner ready to salute in town. She fired first-up in a Northam maiden earlier this month and has been nominated for Belmont next Wednesday, September 27.
Charlie Jane was just below black-type level as a 2yo last season for her owner-breeders Robin and Gail Humberston. In three juvenile outings she was prominent behind the placings in the Crystal Slipper, Supremacy and Gimcrack Stakes at Ascot.
Her older half-brother Gold Keeper (Snippetson) also graduated from a Northam maiden to a Belmont victory for the same connections last month. Their dam Bella’s Keeper (Scandal Keeper) is a half-sister to city winners War Jeune (War Chant) and Rommel’s Jeuney (Rommel)
Universal Ruler stands for a $7,500 (plus GST) service fee this season at Scenic Lodge. For bookings or further information, contact Jeremy Smith on (08) 9571 0155 or 0419 943 356.
