NO DANGER TO NO SURRENDER AT ASCOT
The decision to switch No Surrender to a shorter trip was a winning one for Impressive Racing trainer Darren McAuliffe on Tuesday.
No Surrender (3g Universal Ruler – Dark Attack by Dylan Thomas) had been run down over 1600m last month but he was never in danger when dropping back in distance for the Mrs Mac’s Maiden (1200m) at Ascot. He led at every panel and pinched a winning break for Mitchell Pateman who had been positive on the firming $3.80 second-elect.
McAuliffe knows Universal Ruler and his stock better than anyone having trained him to three stakes wins in Perth before a successful second career at Scenic Lodge where he has sired Impressive stars like The Velvet King, Rebel King, Market Ruler, Military Reign & Abdicator.
“He didn’t get a mile last time and was disappointing. He got on the wrong leg and I thought coming back to 1200m would be a better option,” McAuliffe said. “He’s above average and should have won a few races by now but he’s got an attitude problem.”
No Surrender had finished fourth on debut to Gemma’s Son (Snippetson) in the LR Perth Stakes in March before fading from view behind from Watch Me Dance (I’m All The Talk) in the G3 WA Sires Produce Stakes.
“He’s a difficult animal to deal with and has got a different mind-set to the rest of his family,” McAuliffe revealed. “It’s weird because they have all been lovely quiet horses.”
No Surrender is the final foal of Dark Attack (Dylan Thomas) who was bred by Peters Investments. He won Tuesday’s maiden by three-quarters of a length from the Peters Investments favourite Testing Love (Iffraaj).
Dark Attack retired a maiden but her half-brother Cohort (Scenic) completed a stakes winning double in the 2008 Belmont Guineas and Belmont Classic. She is also a half-sister to the dams of Dark Choice (G3 WA Oaks) and Churchill Dancer (G2 VRC Bobbie Lewis Hcp).
Universal Ruler stands for a $6,600 service fee at Scenic Lodge with Snippetson ($6,600) and Dash For Cash ($2,750). (Fees inc GST) with a free return.