Tag Archives: Universal ruler

Bell tolls for Universal Ruler

Scenic Lodge stallions Universal Ruler and Snippetson kick-started the Belmont card on Saturday before Blackfriars chimed in to complete a treble for the stud with his 13th individual winner this season.

Universal Ruler mare Beat The Bell claimed her first city victory after three wins on the provincial circuit for owner-breeder Ian Roberts. He also races Uni Time, a Universal Ruler gelding who doubled up at Belmont last month.

Beat The Bell was backed from $21 into $12 and came from last to defeat Black Ducati (Blackfriars) in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1400m). “I told Emma (Stent) she would get back and then run home the final 400m really strong,” trainer Sharon Miller said. “She’s been unlucky in stop-start races that don’t suit but we knew they would go really hard today.”

Her dam Church Belle (Churchill Downs) descends from a family that generated Group 1 mares Jungle Dawn and Jungle Mist for Bunbury breeder Len Craddock as well as numerous winners for Karendale Stud.

Snippetson 3yo Some Sort refused the surrender when tackled in the straight on Saturday which augurs well for his future with trainer Adam Durrant. He led them up in the Susan Olive Plate (1200m) and kept lifting to score by a half-length from Rio Del Mar (Magnus) and Specialism (Safeguard).

“He still does a bit wrong and looked like he was going to get run down,” Durrant said. “But he’s tough and was very strong late.”

Some Sort is a younger half-brother to Durrant’s black-type filly Assetro (Blackfriars) who came to grief in G3 WA Oaks in March. “I went overs at the yearling sale because I could see a fair bit of her in him. He’s a good doer and hopefully we can bank some more of these $88,000 cheques with the Westspeed bonuses thrown in.”

Spiritual Warrior completed a treble of his own for Blackfriars and trainer Justin Warwick in the Ascot Racing Carnival Hcp (2200m). He sat outside the leader and pulled throughout the race but still had enough in hand at the finish.

“He’s not an easy horse to ride or an easy horse to be around at home,” Warwick said. “But we’re beginning to be a bit more tolerant of his bad habits while he’s winning.”

Spiritual Warrior races in the same colours as G2 Perth Cup winner Black Tycoon (Blackfriars). His dam Angelic Heart (Show A Heart) won an Ascot nursery for Dan Morton and her half-sister Paris Heartbeat (Marooned) was a stakes winner in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Scenic Lodge sire Dash For Dash also weighed in with a winner over the hurdles at Morphettville on Saturday.

His evergreen gelding Youl Dash For Cash won five races on the flat, including the 2017 Stony Creek Cup, before transferring to jumps trainer Eric Mugrove last season. He won at twice at Warrnambool during the winter months and sent his earnings past $234,000 on Saturday.

Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler and Snippetson for $6,600 while Dash For Cash is priced at $2,750. All fees (inc GST).\

It’s Time for Scenic Lodge

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A Westspeed bonus has propelled Universal Ruler to a narrow lead over fellow Scenic Lodge resident Snippetson for WA active-sire honours in the final week of 2018-19.

Uni Time (3g Universal Ruler – Darntime by Danetime) earned prizemoney of $11,210 at Belmont on Wednesday and Westspeed tipped in another $11,000 for winning the Congrats William Pike Hcp (1200m).

Deceased Scenic Lodge champion Blackfriars ($4.90 million) will win his 9th WA title in a row this season and the jury is still out for his heir-apparent in WA. Universal Ruler ($3,119,878) is just $415 in front of Snippetson with everything to play for in the next seven days.

Uni Time came from last on the corner to win eased down for trainer Sharon Miller and owner-breeder Ian Roberts. “There’s plenty of potential in this horse but he’s still a bit of a lad,” Miller said. “We’ve done lots of work behind the scenes. He’s a bit casual and needs to concentrate but I think he will make a good horse when he grows up.”

His dam Darntime won four sprints in Perth and her earlier winners at stud include Regal Gleam (Alfred Nobel) and Time To Trade (Trade Fair). She was covered by God Has Spoken last September.

Scenic Lodge General Manager Jeremy Smith confirmed the buzz around Universal Ruler has spread across the continent. “We already have a number of mares from the east booked into Universal Ruler this year. Obviously, he’s caught their attention with the likes of Lady Cosmology, Bam’s On Fire and Angelic Ruler doing so well over there.

“To be above stallions the calibre of Written Tycoon, More Than Ready, Choisir and Dundeel for prizemoney on the Australian 3YO premiership highlights what he’s capable of if given an opportunity.

“The quality of his book last year and what he will cover this year should set him up to be a strong contender for WA premierships once the number begin to fall for Blackfriars.

“He was the most popular stallion in WA last year and, at a fee of only $6,600, it’s an absolute ‘no brainer’ to be breeding to Universal Ruler this year. There are limited numbers remaining and I would urge anyone considering him to contact me as soon as possible.

“The race for the active-sires premiership between Snippetson and Universal Ruler is a difficult one for me to pick sides as it’s like my two kids fighting it out.

“Universal Ruler has been chipping away at Snippetson’s lead with a lot less runners so it’s amazing he’s been able to compete. Whichever way it goes, we are so fortunate to be standing both of them in 2019.

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

Stallion Service Fees Announced

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Snippetson Rules at Scenic Lodge

Scenic Lodge has been home to Champion WA sires since the turn of the century and its dominance will continue despite the recent loss of Blackfriars.

Legendary stallion Scenic (Ire) won 9 premierships straight until Blackfriars assumed his mantle in 2010-11. He’s already assured of an 8th title in a row this season and it won’t be the last with his final 2yo crop commencing their racing careers in 2020-21.

General-manager Jeremy Smith is looking forward to the future with the current roster led by Snippetson. “The death of Blackfriars was a shock but it’s been softened by the amazing season enjoyed by our other stallions,” he explained. “That’s why we won’t be adding to our line-up for 2018.
“Snippetson was Champion sire for individual winners ahead of Blackfriars last season and has taken over as the leading active sire in WA,” Smith continued. “And Universal Ruler is the leading WA-based 2yo sire this season.”

The first WA yearlings by Snippetson averaged $52,000 at the Magic Millions in February and, on that score alone, he’s tremendous value at a $6,600 (inc gst) service fee. He’s free of Danehill blood and has achieved great results with Danehill-line mares.

Scenic sire Universal Ruler has enjoyed a breakout season with his juveniles headed by Lady Cosmology. She will be voted Champion WA 2yo Filly this season following a victory in the LR Supremacy Stakes and a nose second in the G2 Karrakatta Plate.

Bam’s On Fire is another promising Universal Ruler filly in Perth. She rocketed home for an eye-catching third in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes and then came from the tail of a capacity field to finish fourth in the G2 Karrakatta.
The Simon Miller-trained Market Ruler added her name to the growing list of his juvenile winners on Saturday. She’s a stablemate of Lady Cosmology and the addition of blinkers made all the difference as she sprinted to a three-length victory at Ascot.
Abdicator heads Universal Ruler’s 3yo division with a black-type win in the LR Rangeview Stud Classic. He was also placed in the LR Challenge Stakes and LR Raconteur Stakes.

“He’s emerging as one of the leading sires in WA,” Smith said. “And he’s so versatile – just like Scenic.”

Universal Ruler sires sprinters the calibre of Rebel King (LR Scenic Blast Stakes) as well as stayers like Master Magician who won over 2200m during the autumn carnival prior to doubling up over 2100m at Ascot on Saturday.

His yearlings sold to $72,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions and he will stand at $4,950 (inc gst).

Proven sire Dash For Cash has built up an exceptional 64% winning strike-rate and is still siring stakes winners the calibre of Dodging Bullets (LR Bendigo Golden Mile). Champion trainer Darren Weir produced another future stakes winner when Grey Shadow bolted in at Caulfield last month.

Dash For Cash rounds out the roster at a rock-bottom service fee of $2,750 (inc gst).

For bookings or further information, broodmare owners can contact the Scenic Lodge office (08 9571 0155 / [email protected]) or Jeremy Smith (0419 943 356).

D Mac Rules by Decree

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Impressive Racing trainer Darren Mcauliffe knows how to prepare a Universal Ruler winner and he’s found the key to By Decree.

The comeback mare was being set for last year’s Belmont Oaks when she fractured her back and had to be nursed back to health by Mcauliffe. She’s as good as gold now and enjoyed all the favours winning the Inglis Bloodstock Hcp (1650m) last Saturday.

Given the run of the race by Matthieu Autier, she tracked the favourite Nelson’s Flight (Blackfriars) before bursting through along the rails to score by short-neck. “She finds a length on soft ground, like a lot of the Universal Rulers, and ‘Frenchie’ rode a perfect race,” Mcauliffe said. “He had been leading on her but I told him to take cover and it worked out today.”

By Decree was bred Impressive Racing’s Kevin Berry and hails from an Argentinian female family imported to Australia by Victorian breeder Ted Cockram. Her dam Elusive Choice (Choisir) is now owned by Balmoral Park manager Brian Collison and she foaled a Proart filly last August.

“I was happy when it started to rain and she was always travelling behind the leader,” Autier explained. “I just followed (Willie) Pike and she ran home nicely.”

Mcauliffe also won with Universal Ruler mare Queen Of Tease at Belmont earlier this month and he has Universal Ruler 2yo Abdicator ready to resume after a barrier trial win at Lark Hill on Monday.

Universal Ruler 3yo Snow Lord also won at Monday’s trials for Grant & Alana Williams. He scored twice at Ascot earlier this year for owners Elio & Jacquie Galante.

Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler (Scenic) for a discounted $3,850 (inc gst) service fee this year.

Perth mare moves to Melbourne

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Military Reign has settled in without any hiccups for her Melbourne debut at Flemington on Saturday.

The Universal Ruler speed-machine has accepted for the $100,000 Bruce Gadsden Hcp (1000m) and bookmakers aren’t taking any chances with the Perth visitor. Last start G1 Goodwood fifth Santa Ana Lane has been installed a $2.80 favourite ahead of Military Reign ($4.20) and Magic Millions Sprint winner Husson Eagle ($6.50).

“Military Reign is stabled at Flemington with Russell Cameron and she’s as good as gold,” managing part-owner Kevin Berry said this week. “We will see how she handles Saturday’s sprint down the straight before making any plans.

“If she prefers racing around a corner we can back up at Moonee Valley a week later.”

Military Reign (4m Universal Ruler – General’s Delight by General Nediym) broke into the big-time beating G1 Winterbottom Stakes winner Magnifisio in the Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) in April last year. She finished that preparation with another front-running victory over Malibu Style in the LR Beaufine Stakes (1000m) in July.

Trainer Darren McAuliffe brought her back with an interstate trip in mind and she put the writing on the wall, as a $31 outsider, when runner-up to red-hot sprinter Great Shot in the G3 Roma Cup (1200m) at Ascot last month.

McAuliffe prepared Universal Ruler to a ground-breaking victory over subsequent Australian Horse of the Year Scenic Blast in the 2007 Perth 2YO Stakes. He sourced the bottom half of Military Reign’s pedigree at the 2008 Magic Millions National Sale.

“I bought her dam General’s Delight for $70,000 as a foal on the Gold Coast,” McAuliffe recalled. “She was injured while being educated and never raced so we sent her to Universal Ruler at Scenic Lodge.”

“Unfortunately, General’s Delight only delivered two foals so we will keep Military Reign as a broodmare after she’s finished racing.”

Her older full-brother Military Ruler can make it a double for the family on Saturday. He’s not in her class but is quoted at $9 in pre-post markets for Race 8 at Belmont.

Universal Ruler (Scenic) was Champion WA first and second-season stallion and his largest crop of foals (88) will be two year-olds in 2017-18.

Scenic Lodge is standing him for a discounted $3,850 (inc gst) service fee this year.

Rebels Rule for Impressive Racing

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Universal Ruler is off to a winning start with his second crop after jump-and-run filly Rebel Queen claimed the Westspeed 2YO Plate (1100m) at Ascot.

The Scenic Lodge young gun finished fourth on the Australian first-season premiership in 2013-14 and was a country mile ahead of anything else in Western Australia. He has sired the winners of 14 races from that crop to date – the most recent being flying filly Furious Dame. Rebel Queen (2f Universal Ruler – Rebel Sister by Falbrav) started an even-money favourite on debut and dominated a field of first-timers on Saturday. “She’s a real professional and there’s lots of improvement to come,” trainer Darren McAuliffe said. “She’s basically come straight from the breakers and full credit to Jessie Byrne who educates our young ones.”

The winner is from a family that has been very successful for McAuliffe and owners Impressive Racing. Her older half-brother Rebelson (Snippetson) claimed the 2012 LR Fairetha Stakes and LR Aquanita Stakes and was runner-up in Saturday’s LR Ascot Gold Cup. Her three year-old brother Rebel King (Universal Ruler) won four on the bounce at Belmont before tiring out of a place first-up in the LR Fairetha Stakes on October 18. McAuliffe told stewards he would revert the speedy gelding to a 1000m race next time out.

“I trained Universal Ruler and he’s doing a great job at stud,” McAuliffe added. “Rebel Queen will go out for a spell now and we will bring her back for the Karrakatta Plate.” Universal Ruler (Scenic) is a Top 10 Australian second-season sire with earnings of $232,000 since August 1. He stands at Scenic Lodge for a $3,850 (inc gst).