The buzz surrounding Universal Ruler continues to grow

It’s only early days but the buzz surrounding Universal Ruler continues to grow in advance of the Initial Plate (1000m) at Belmont. 

The Scenic Lodge freshman will be double-handed in Perth’s first two year-old event of the season in just over a fortnight.  

Ascot trainer Shane Quilty has several youngsters heading to the Initial Plate and his Universal Ruler colt Universal King is rated the stable pick after an impressive hit-out at Lark Hill a fortnight ago.  Versed Remedy backed that up with a promising trial win at Lark Hill on Tuesday morning.  “She was slow out of the gates but finished it off nicely,” trainer Darren McAuliffe said.  “She wasn’t under any pressure but we will definitely have to give her some more barrier practice.  

“She’s a strong, short-coupled filly and will tighten up between now and the Initial Plate.”  

Versed Remedy (2f Universal Ruler – Elixaar by Xaar) descends from a long line of precocious fillies – her dam won two sprints for Ascot trainer Stan Bates and second-dam Walk the Wild Side (Snaadee) was placed behind Testa Rossa in the 1998 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.  

There’s a Lindsay Park influence going further down the pedigree page through black-type fillies Regal Walk (Godswalk) and Queen Of Angels (Without Fear).  

Universal Ruler was a stakes winner at two, beating Scenic Blast no less, in the LR Perth Stakes at Ascot.  “He should have just about won the Karrakatta Plate, too,” McAuliffe said.  “It was my mistake – I gave him an extra gallop and he went shin-sore.”  

McAuliffe has over 20 two year-olds by Universal Ruler on the books ready to make amends including the half-brothers to Perth stakes winners El Rijes and Rebelson.  “We also have a gelding named Elusive Ruler who I rate among the best of them.  He’s well over 16 hands already and he might be our Karrakatta horse.”

Universal Ruler (Scenic) stands alongside champion sire Blackfriars at Scenic Lodge. 

Blackfriars sired juvenile trial winner Prentice at Lark Hill on Tuesday morning.  He is out of a sister to Scenic gelding Oraya Gold who was beaten a short-head in the 2006 Karrakatta Plate.

Universal Ruler is available at a discounted service fee of $3,500 this year.  For further enquiries, broodmare owners should call Scenic Lodge on (08) 9571 0155