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Setback a blessing for Angelic Ruler

Scenic Lodge sire Universal Ruler has claimed his second city double in as many Saturdays with Angelic Ruler and Snow Lord at Ascot.

Angelic Ruler won first-up in the Mrs Mac’s Hcp (1200m) for part-owner and breeder Colin Pearce and his trainer-sons Dan and Ben.  She had shown immense promise winning two in a row at Belmont in July but was sidelined for the spring 3yo filly features.

Expat Perth jockey Damian Lane gave her time to settle until asking for full throttle into the home straight.  She reacted with a brilliant turn of acceleration that put the race to bed passing the furlong pole.  Black Sabbath, who was coming back in class from an unplaced run in the G2 WA Guineas, ran second for Scenic Lodge champion Blackfriars.

Universal Ruler had weighed in with The Velvet King (LR Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic) and Market Ruler (Tourism WA Trophy) a week earlier at Ascot.  The double-header follows last month’s black-type wins of The Velvet King (LR Fairetha Stakes) and Lady Cosmology (LR Burgess Queen Stakes).

Angelic Ruler is from family favourite Tip The Angel (Tip The Pro) who won 8 races and prizemoney totalling $228,600 for Pearce Racing.  “It’s just great to get a lovely filly from that mare,” Colin Pearce said.  “Tip The Angel did a lot for me and to get this filly to carry on the line is really pleasing.

“We have a pretty good opinion of Angelic Ruler and the Burgess Queen Stakes and Champion Fillies Stakes were in our sights but she had a setback.  That could turn out to be a blessing in disguise if she progresses through the grades.”

Tip The Angel died last year after foaling a filly by Vital Equine.

Universal Ruler has a half-sister to Playing Marika (Lot 68) from Bellbridge Park (as agent) at the Perth Magic Millions in February.  The Playing God filly completed a hat-trick for Divitini Racing at Ascot last month.

Scenic Lodge offers a Universal Ruler filly from Black Queen (Lot 174).  The dam is a half-sister to G3 MVRC Red Anchor Stakes winner Karuta Queen.

 

Rich returns for Universal Ruler

The Velvet KingUniversal Ruler came from clouds to claim last season’s WA 2YO sires’ premiership so it would be premature to bet against him for the 3YO title in 2018-19. The Scenic Lodge sire is currently third on the table but can take top spot soon with last week’s black-type winners Lady Cosmology and The Velvet King ready for richer returns at Ascot.

Lady Cosmology is being set for either the G3 Champion Fillies next Saturday or the G2 WA Guineas on November 24.  Both run over 1600m, they carry combined prizemoney of $700,000.  The Simon Miller-trained filly was a dominant winner of the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at the Melbourne Cup meeting.

Back at Ascot on Saturday, The Velvet King became the fifth black-type winner by Universal Ruler with a decisive victory in the LR Fairetha Stakes (1400m).  He took a sit behind the leader and then dashed clear to score with a length in hand from Lordhelpmerun (Playing God) and Black Sabbath (Blackfriars).

Trainer Darren McAuliffe rates him very highly and so does Dan Staeck who is just back from riding in Victoria.  “Darren said the horse was tougher than anything else in the race and that gave me a bit of confidence.  I rode him tough and I would like to stick by this bloke.  He could be going places.”

The Velvet King gave McAuliffe a feature double having won the G2 Lee-Steere Stakes earlier in the day with Gatting (Hard Spun).  “He’s got a big motor and a high-cruising speed,” McAuliffe said.  “He’s a sensible type and I have a very high opinion of him.”

McAuliffe’s racing partner Kevin Berry bought his dam Doubleblack Velvet (Show A Heart) for $7,500 at the 2013 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.  She foaled a full-sister to the Fairetha winner in August and is back in foal to Universal Ruler.

The Velvet King isn’t nominated for the WA Guineas but there are several options going forward including the LR Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) on November 24 and LR Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) on December 8.

McAuliffe prepared Universal Ruler to win four stakes races before joining the roster at Scenic Lodge where he stands for a $4,950 (inc GST) service fee.

 

Rich returns for Universal Ruler

Universal Ruler came from clouds to claim last season’s WA 2YO sires’ premiership so it would be premature to bet against him for the 3YO title in 2018-19.

The Scenic Lodge sire is currently third on the table but can take top spot soon with last week’s black-type winners Lady Cosmology and The Velvet King ready for richer returns at Ascot.

Lady Cosmology is being set for either the G3 Champion Fillies next Saturday or the G2 WA Guineas on November 24.  Both run over 1600m, they carry combined prizemoney of $700,000.  The Simon Miller-trained filly was a dominant winner of the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at the Melbourne Cup meeting.

Back at Ascot on Saturday, The Velvet King became the fifth black-type winner by Universal Ruler with a decisive victory in the LR Fairetha Stakes (1400m).  He took a sit behind the leader and then dashed clear to score with a length in hand from Lordhelpmerun (Playing God) and Black Sabbath (Blackfriars).

Trainer Darren McAuliffe rates him very highly and so does Dan Staeck who is just back from riding in Victoria.  “Darren said the horse was tougher than anything else in the race and that gave me a bit of confidence.  I rode him tough and I would like to stick by this bloke.  He could be going places.”

The Velvet King gave McAuliffe a feature double having won the G2 Lee-Steere Stakes earlier in the day with Gatting (Hard Spun).  “He’s got a big motor and a high-cruising speed,” McAuliffe said.  “He’s a sensible type and I have a very high opinion of him.”

McAuliffe’s racing partner Kevin Berry bought his dam Doubleblack Velvet (Show A Heart) for $7,500 at the 2013 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.  She foaled a full-sister to the Fairetha winner in August and is back in foal to Universal Ruler.

The Velvet King isn’t nominated for the WA Guineas but there are several options going forward including the LR Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) on November 24 and LR Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) on December 8.

McAuliffe prepared Universal Ruler to win four stakes races before joining the roster at Scenic Lodge where he stands for a $4,950 (inc GST) service fee.

Come Play With Me By Durrant

The Adam Durrant trained, Come Play With Me, has established his bona fides as one of WA’s premier gallopers following a rock solid performance in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Classic over 2200m.

The Blackfriars 3YO has now won four on the trot – five from his last six – and the Belmont Classic takes his overall record to eight wins from 16 outings and a tick over $400,000 in stakes.

It was also Come Play With Me’s second stakes win, having captured the Listed Aquanita Stakes just a fortnight earlier.

Consequently, the rising stayer’s future looks fairly bright and, although Come Play With Me will be sent for a well earned spell, his return to racing won’t be confined to western climes as Durrant has intimated his horse might well campaign in Victoria and South Australia next year.

However, it was only a few months back that Durrant was questioning whether his early faith in Come Play With Me might be misplaced.

“I thought he was one of the best 3YOs I’d had but then he ran near last first up at Geraldton in April,” Durrant told Aushorse. “That didn’t do much for my confidence in the horse but the red light started flashing at his next run in the (Group Two WA) Derby and he’s just kept progressing from there.”

With only two metropolitan meetings remaining for the 2017/18 season, Durrant has virtually sealed his 7th metropolitan premiership, while the Belmont Classic has given the stable its 11th black type winner for the season, one clear of nearest rival Grant and Alana Williams.

Adding to Saturday’s success is that Come Play With Me was bred by Durrant’s parents, Geoff and Vicki.

“The family has around 10 mares and we race all the progeny,” Durrant explains. “That means we’ve usually got five to seven new horses coming through every year. Come Play With Me’s dam, Russian Playmate, was a very good mare for us and won a couple of stakes races (Starstruck Classic and La Trice Classic).

“Come Play With Me is her second foal and his 2YO full brother, Black Russian, will make his debut at Belmont on Wednesday. There is also a rising 2YO and yearling out of the mare, both of them by Blackfriars too.

“The mare missed to Snippetson last year but she’ll likely head back to him again this spring.”

Come Play With Me’s success also underscores the tremendous loss of Scenic Lodge’s Blackfriars – not just to Western Australia but the industry at large.

The Danehill stallion died last December and Come Play With Me is among 39 stakes winners for the sire (427 winners overall) which include 5-time Group One winning sprinter, Black Heart Bart, Playing God, God Has Spoken and Black Tycoon.

The silver lining is that Blackfriars covered 88 mares last spring so his presence is likely to be felt for years to come, while Snippetson – one of three stallions standing at Scenic Lodge this spring – is the sire of 12 stakes winners including Group Two winners Fast Clip and My Popette, plus 2018 stakes winner Snippets Land.

New Ruler at Scenic Lodge

Scenic Lodge will turn full circle when Universal Ruler wins the 2017-18 WA 2YO premiership next Wednesday.

He’s a son of Scenic who put the Muchea nursery on the map with 9 WA flags between 2002 and 2010.  Blackfriars took over as the State’s alpha-male and he will make it 8 titles in succession this season.

That’s a truly remarkable 17 premierships in a row for David and Jeremy Smith who have guided the stud since 1996.  Blackfriars died last December and he should equal Scenic’s tally with a promising crop of 3yo prospects next season.

“Fortunately, Universal Ruler and our other stallion Snippetson have stepped up to another level after the loss of Blackfriars,” Jeremy Smith said this week.  “In retrospect, both have been priced a bit cheap with Snippetson at $6,600 and Universal Ruler at $4,950 but it certainly provides all breeders with a great opportunity this season.”

Universal Ruler built his premiership winning season on the back of class fillies Lady Cosmology, Market Ruler, Angelic Ruler and Bam’s On Fire who finished the season as the best 2yo maiden in Perth following a placing in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes and a fourth in the G2 Karrakatta Plate.

Last month’s Belmont debut winner The Velvet King is the best of the boys by Universal Ruler although Rebel Knight might have something to say about that following a first-up second to boom youngster Samizdat at Belmont on Saturday.

Universal Ruler’s current 2yo prizemoney tally of $744,410 could receive another late-season boost from Salvara and Staralign in the Glenroy Chaff Plate (1300m) at Belmont on Wednesday.

Salvara represents the successful Oakland Park – Fred Kersley combination and she’s bred to get over ground.  Her dam Salvara (Blackfriars) won two city races over 1650m and was runner-up in a LR Belmont Classic (2200m).  The mare foaled a Universal Ruler colt last September and was bred back to Snippetson.

Staralign is trained by Vaughn Sigley for owner-breeders Glen and Jan Kettlewell who raced Rohan (Blackfriars) to victory in the 2012 G2 WA Derby.  His dam Leenornie (Oratorio) foaled a full-sister to Staralign last year and the Kettlewells bred her back to Universal Ruler.

Universal Ruler continues to build his book for the start of the covering season in September.  David Reed has Market Ruler’s dam Market Wrap (Pricelessly) returning to Scenic Lodge and Kevin Berry has booked in The Velvet King’s dam Doubleblack Velvet (Show A Heart).  She is due to Universal Ruler off a September cover last year.

Broodmare owners can inspect Universal Ruler and the other Scenic Lodge stallions by making an appointment with Jeremy Smith on 0419 943 356

REDGUM RACING JUST WILD ABOUT HARRY

John McArdle has prepared the winners of 11 races by Dash For Cash and he can make it an even dozen next Tuesday at Pakenham.

The Mornington trainer’s most recent winners by the Scenic Lodge sire have been Cash For Diamonds and Cash Raider.  The latter will be gunning for a running double next week following a two-length victory in the TW Plastering Plate (1400m) at Pakenham on July 10.

Cash Raider (3g Dash For Cash – Beauty Within by Rancho Ruler) is raced by owner-breeder John Kruger and is from a two-time winner at Caulfield.  He’s a younger brother of Dash For Cash gelding Easy Cash who won at Morphettville for Mark Kavanagh.

Beauty Within’s final foal is called ‘Harry’ by the staff at Redgum Racing.  “There looks to be many more wins in store for him,” McArdle said after the last-start success.  “Thanks to everyone at home, especially Steph, who is over the moon with her favourite horse winning!”

Dash For Cash has built a great strike-rate with his 3yo winners in the last month or two.  Joining Cash Raider and Cash For Diamonds (Moe) have been the likes of Grey Shadow (Caulfield), Auguster Rush (Bendigo), Dashing Savanna (Kilmore) & Annemiek (Echuca).

He’s also the damsire of 3yo sprinter Greyworm who won at Mornington last month and doubled up at Sandown on Wednesday.

Dash For Cash ($2,750) stands at Scenic Lodge with Snippetson ($6,600) and Universal Ruler ($4,950).  All service fees (inc GST).

John McArdle has prepared the winners of 11 races by Dash For Cash and he can make it an even dozen next Tuesday at Pakenham.

The Mornington trainer’s most recent winners by the Scenic Lodge sire have been Cash For Diamonds and Cash Raider.  The latter will be gunning for a running double next week following a two-length victory in the TW Plastering Plate (1400m) at Pakenham on July 10.

Cash Raider (3g Dash For Cash – Beauty Within by Rancho Ruler) is raced by owner-breeder John Kruger and is from a two-time winner at Caulfield.  He’s a younger brother of Dash For Cash gelding Easy Cash who won at Morphettville for Mark Kavanagh.

Beauty Within’s final foal is called ‘Harry’ by the staff at Redgum Racing.  “There looks to be many more wins in store for him,” McArdle said after the last-start success.  “Thanks to everyone at home, especially Steph, who is over the moon with her favourite horse winning!”

Dash For Cash has built a great strike-rate with his 3yo winners in the last month or two.  Joining Cash Raider and Cash For Diamonds (Moe) have been the likes of Grey Shadow (Caulfield), Auguster Rush (Bendigo), Dashing Savanna (Kilmore) & Annemiek (Echuca).

He’s also the damsire of 3yo sprinter Greyworm who won at Mornington last month and doubled up at Sandown on Wednesday.

Dash For Cash ($2,750) stands at Scenic Lodge with Snippetson ($6,600) and Universal Ruler ($4,950).  All service fees (inc GST).

John McArdle has prepared the winners of 11 races by Dash For Cash and he can make it an even dozen next Tuesday at Pakenham.

The Mornington trainer’s most recent winners by the Scenic Lodge sire have been Cash For Diamonds and Cash Raider.  The latter will be gunning for a running double next week following a two-length victory in the TW Plastering Plate (1400m) at Pakenham on July 10.

Cash Raider (3g Dash For Cash – Beauty Within by Rancho Ruler) is raced by owner-breeder John Kruger and is from a two-time winner at Caulfield.  He’s a younger brother of Dash For Cash gelding Easy Cash who won at Morphettville for Mark Kavanagh.

Beauty Within’s final foal is called ‘Harry’ by the staff at Redgum Racing.  “There looks to be many more wins in store for him,” McArdle said after the last-start success.  “Thanks to everyone at home, especially Steph, who is over the moon with her favourite horse winning!”

Dash For Cash has built a great strike-rate with his 3yo winners in the last month or two.  Joining Cash Raider and Cash For Diamonds (Moe) have been the likes of Grey Shadow (Caulfield), Auguster Rush (Bendigo), Dashing Savanna (Kilmore) & Annemiek (Echuca).

He’s also the damsire of 3yo sprinter Greyworm who won at Mornington last month and doubled up at Sandown on Wednesday.

Dash For Cash ($2,750) stands at Scenic Lodge with Snippetson ($6,600) and Universal Ruler ($4,950).  All service fees (inc GST).

SNIPPETSON FLYER AT WINTER SALE

Scenic Lodge will highlight the Perth Winter Sale this Sunday with yearling colts by its resident stallions Snippetson and Universal Ruler.

Magic Millions has catalogued 200 head of yearlings, foals, breeding stock and racehorses for the final Winter Sale at Belmont. Clearing work began this week on the site of its new sales complex in the Swan Valley.

Snippetson has taken over from Scenic Lodge champion Blackfriars as the leading active sire in the State. “His younger half-brother to Like A Butterfly (Lot 23) is right up there with some of the better yearlings we offered in February,” general manager Jeremy Smith said. “He was a bit behind the others when we were submitting entries for the Premier Sale but since then he’s developed into a outstanding colt.”

Like A Butterfly (Blackfriars) won the LR Ascot 1000 Guineas in March prior to playing bridesmaid in the G3 WA Oaks and G2 WA Derby. There are four other stakes winners under her second-dam Prime Again (Marooned) and they all trained on to win more black-type as older horses.

The Universal Ruler colt from Pearlesque (Lot 20) is all quality according to Smith. “He’s also jumped out of the ground after being given a bit of time. It represents a great opportunity for someone paying a fraction of what he would have made in February.”

Universal Ruler has been a revelation this year siring 2yo stars Lady Cosmology and Market Ruler as well as stakes winners Abdicator and Rebel King. His Winter Sale colt is a half-brother to this year’s LR Natasha Stakes winner Friar Fox.

Scenic Lodge has entered 15 mares in the Broodmare section this Sunday and they will be sold unreserved. With Blackfriars no longer on the roster, a decision was made to reduce the numbers heading into the stud season. They include;

Lot 42 Angel Sky (Hurricane Sky). Talented sprinter who won 5 races up to 1400m at Belmont (3) and Bunbury (2). Black-type right down the page and she’s in foal to G2 Karrakatta Plate winner Lucky Street.

Lot 43 Beautiful Dreams (Encosta De Lago). Lightly-raced daughter of G1 VRC Myer Classic winner Lyrical Bid. In foal to Blackfriars.

Lot 53 Deboshnokov (Stravinsky). Half-sister to G1 Thousand Guineas winner Inaflury. She’s had two to race for two winners and will be offered in foal to Universal Ruler.

Lot 68 Miss Gelana (Blackfriars). Quality city-winning sister to Perth stakes-winner Moneghetti. In foal to Universal Ruler.

Lot 87 Taane Maya (Scenic). Winning half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Donizetti (LR T J Smith Trophy & LR Fairetha Stakes). Three to race for three winners. In foal to Blackfriars.

Market Ruler builds momentum at Belmont

Simon Miller’s decision to keep Market Ruler in training for a winter campaign has set up a stirring finish to the WA 2YO Sires’ premiership this season.

Scenic Lodge sire Universal Ruler has climbed the ladder in unison with Market Ruler’s city hat-trick between May 12 and June 9. Former Yarradale Stud shuttler Frost Giant ($590,797) currently leads Universal Ruler ($552,980) with enough opportunities remaining to ensure there are no excuses come July 31.

There are 7 x $70,000 Saturday races and 7 x $24,500 Wednesday races programmed for Perth’s juveniles between now and the end of the season. Westspeed bonuses could also play a part in the final result.

Market Ruler (2f Universal Ruler – Market Wrap by Pricelessly) increased her earnings to $262,635 after an on-pace victory in the Magic Millions Plate (1000m) at Belmont on Saturday. She’s a homebred for David Reed and is a half-sister to Gold Broker (LR Melvista Stakes).

“Since the addition of blinkers she has gone to another level,” Miller told RWWA journalist Julio Santarelli. “I’m really happy with her and she’s a marvel to have had so many runs in one prep and not train off.”

Reed sold a 30% share in Market Ruler at a charity auction last year and donated the proceeds to the Passages Resource Centre. It’s a joint venture between Rotary and St Vincent de Paul helping homeless young people in WA.

Universal Ruler (Scenic) is also the sire of Miller’s top-class filly Lady Cosmology who won the LR Supremacy Stakes before a nose second in the G2 Karrakatta Plate.

Despite Market Ruler’s late-season rush, Lady Cosmology will be favoured for WA Champion 2YO Filly honours in 2017-18. Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler for a $4,950 service fee.

Stallion Service Fees Announced

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).

 

Universal Ruler – A Sire on the Rise

UNIVERSAL RULER amazing run and versatility continued today (Saturday) with a double at Ascot.

Like his sire Scenic,  he sired a winner over 2100mtr and another winner over 1000mtr.

Universal Ruler is now the leading active 2YO sire in Western Australia this season

 

A SIRE ON THE RISE – His service fee for 2018 will be announced next week.