Rulers measure up for Melbourne

Universal Ruler has a strong team of gallopers gearing up for the spring and summer carnivals after a ground-breaking season in 2018-19.

His latest stakes-bound sprinter is Uni Time who produced a powerful finish to score by two lengths in the Mrs Mac’s Hcp (1200m) at Belmont last Saturday.  Trainer Sharon Miller will set him for Kalgoorlie’s LR Hannans Hcp in October.

The Belmont victory came three days after Universal Ruler ($3.16 million) won the WA active-sires’ premiership from Snippetson ($3.14 million).  They filled a trifecta for Scenic Lodge behind deceased champion Blackfriars ($5.01 million).

Uni Time (4g Universal Ruler – Darntime by Danetime) is a half-brother to WA winners Regal Gleam (Alfred Nobel) and Time To Trade (Trade Fair).  He was retained by Hopeland owner-breeder Ian Roberts after failing to reach a $20,000 reserve at the 2017 Perth Magic Millions.

“He looks a Hannans horse,” Miller predicted after Uni Time made it 3 wins from 6 starts since an eye-catching third on debut at Ascot in February.  “He’s never finished out of a place and has plenty of potential.”

Universal Ruler mare Angelic Ruler will return east for a spring campaign starting next month.  She was sent to Melbourne after winning the LR Rangeview Stud Classic (1400m) in February and was unlucky not to break through when placed in Group events at Caulfield, Flemington and Moonee Valley.

“She returned from a spell last month and will trial before going across to Melbourne,” co-trainer Ben Pearce said.  “She kept finding the line over there last prep and we were very proud of her efforts.”

Pearce said Angelic Ruler will target the G2 How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, G2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and G2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield.

Trainer Darren McAuliffe was going to float both his Universal Ruler sprinters – Rebel King and The Velvet King – across the Nullabor before opting for the former.

Rebel King won the LR Idyllic Prince Stakes & LR Cyril Flower Quality last season and he will accompany Cox Plate hopeful Gatting.  “There’s just so many options for a horse like him in Melbourne,” McAuliffe said.  “We will keep The Velvet King at home and he will be aimed at the Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Classic.”

Simon Miller was left with a similar choice when assessing the prospects of his Universal Ruler mare Lady Cosmology.  She won the LR Supremacy Stakes at two and LR Burgess Queen Stakes at three before travelling to Adelaide for a last-start victory in the G3 Proud Miss Stakes.

“The money is very enticing,” Miller admitted.  “It’s logical to send Lady Cosmology but I will wait until she’s up and rolling before figuring out whether to stay local or go back east again.”

Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler for a $6,600 service fee alongside Snippetson ($6,600) and Dash For Cash ($2,750).  General manager Jeremy Smith can be contacted for more information on (08) 9571 0155.