King Sized Strike Rate For Universal Ruler

Rebel King has returned to his best form with an authoritative victory in the St Vincent De Paul Hcp (1000m) at Belmont.

Apprentice Chloe Azzopardi had the bay travelling kindly on Saturday before sooling him to the front for a two-length win – his first since stringing four together during last year’s winter season.

“He was only carrying 52kg so I got him rolling three-wide – I didn’t want to get caught up behind the leaders,” Azzopardi said.  “He’s a good horse and it was good win.”

Rebel King is a son of Scenic Lodge sire Universal Ruler who was WA Champion first-season sire in 2013-14.  He is assured of the WA second-season title with 22 individual winners and $761,102 in progeny prizemoney so far this season.

His winning strike-rate of 52.4% is among the best of any stallion in Australia this season.

Rebel King is a half-brother LR Fairetha Stakes winner Rebelson (Snippetson) and a full-brother to Rebel Queen who won on debut at Ascot earlier this season.  The trio are prepared by Impressive Racing trainer Darren McAuliffe.

Their dam Rebel Sister (Falbrav) has a yearling filly by Snippetson who is standing his first season at Scenic Lodge this year.  She foaled a Stratum colt last August and was then bred back to Universal Ruler.

Universal Ruler covered 127 mares last year and he will stand for a $5,500 (plus gst) fee this year.

Blackfriars Century at Belmont

 

Champion stallion Blackfriars broke through the 100 wins barrier this season with Blackwood on Saturday.
Blackwood (2f Blackfriars – Karriwood by Tobougg) always looked the winner of the Budget Minibus Rental Plate (1400m) second-up at Belmont. She had scored on debut at Ascot last month for trainer Fred Kersley and owner-breeder Neville Duncan.
“She’s a class filly and the step-up to 1400 metres was never a worry,” stable rep Karen Kersley said. “She very relaxed and had them covered a long way out.”
Blackfriars has sired the winners of 100 races on three occasions – his best season was 124 wins in 2011-12. His full figures for the current season reads 59 individual winners of 100 races for progeny earnings of $3.49 million in Australia.
Duncan bred his first Blackfriars stakes winner with All Friared Up in the LR Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Belmont in July 2011. His latest juvenile winner descends from Group 3 mare Canon Song (Rory’s Jester) who won the 1996 Merson-Cooper Stakes in Melbourne.
The Scenic Lodge champion has sired the winners of 5 city two year-old races this season and Black Cuban is another youngster knocking on the door. He came from last to fill third spot behind Blackwood on Saturday.
Black Heart Bart can bag another Group 1 for Blackfriars in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville next Saturday, May 16. He travelled to Adelaide after Listed victories in the Cyril Flower Quality, Pinjarra Classic and Bunbury Stakes.
Scenic Lodge will stand Blackfriars for a $12,000 (plus GST) service fee this year – enormous value for a stallion unchallenged as Sunspeed’s champion sire since 2010-11.

Demons win with Dash For Cash

Torquay trainer Stephen Cooper has married a love for the Melbourne Demons and Scenic Lodge sire Dash For Cash to Win another race with his tough gelding Carrera Dinero.

Cooper has won 7 races with Carrera Dinero and they’re on a hat-trick after victories at Kilmore and at Geelong’s city meeting on Wednesday.  “I train him out of a paddock and we were back home within a hour of winning today,” Cooper said.  “He’s only had 36 starts – he took a while to settle down as a young horse but is pretty sensible now.

“I only take him to the track once a week.  He’s doesn’t knock himself about at the races, either.  He gets to the front, relaxes and then kicks off the corner.”

Carrera Dinero (7g Dash For Cash – Star Clementine by Luskin Star) has earned over $100,000 for Cooper, his wife Ann, daughters Jess, Jacqui & Rachael and business partner Luke Taylor.

“I like Dash For Cash.  He’s a top bread-and-butter sire and I was surprised to see him leave Victoria.”

Dash For Cash relocated to Western Australia last year and the winners have kept rolling in since he arrived at Scenic Lodge.  He will stand for a $4,400 (inc gst) fee in 2015.

Cooper is a life-long Melbourne fan and Carrera Dinero carries their colours of Blue and a Red Demon logo.  He’s optimistic there’s better times ahead for the football club with premiership coach Paul Roos at the helm.

Just like Carrera Dinero.” Dash For Cash will have his loyalties tested now that he’s based in WA.