Backed to the exclusion of all others, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Wild Ruler had his fans on good terms a long way from home in Saturday’s Listed Schweppes Heritage Stakes (1100m).
Given a sweet ride by James McDonald, the son of Snitzel made a successful seasonal debut having not raced since finishing midfield in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate at Eagle Farm on June 6, which was won by Rothfire.
Wild Ruler tracked the $1.7 million Exceed And Excel colt Osamu in to the straight before taking control at the 200 metres to hold the challenge of the late finishing Destination (Exceed And Excel) by a neck with a further one and a half lengths back to Forbidden Love (All Too Hard) who edged Osamu for third.
“He’s probably not furnished just yet physically but his mental state is starting to come together,” Paul Snowden said.
“Just to see him relax as well as he does, he’s got a good kick in the locker when needed.
“We will probably keep him to the shorter trips, there is the Roman Consul in a couple of weeks so that will be a good guide to which races we head to down south.”
Purchased by China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock / WinStar for $525,000 out of the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Wild Ruler made an exciting career debut when winning the $500,000 Inglis Nursery at Randwick back in December last year.
Third in the Group II Champagne Classic at Eagle Farm, the 3yo son of Snitzel advances his record to 2 wins a second and a third with earnings of $421,525
Wild Ruler is the third foal and second winner out of the smart racemare Gypsy Robin (USA) whose second foal Uluru (Fastnet Rock).
Her first foal Caravan, a sister to Wild Ruler, placed in three of her four starts after being purchased at the Inglis July Monthly Online Sale for $35,000.
An imported daughter of the Awesome Again stallion Daaher, Gypsy Robin (USA) won six races from 12 starts in the States including a pair of Grade II Stakes and was runner-up in the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga.
Gypsy Robin (USA) has a yearling filly by American Pharoah (USA) and is due to foal to the Triple Crown hero again.
Wild Ruler is one of 104 stakes-winners for 4-time Champion Australian stallion Snitzel.
