Rebels Rule for Impressive Racing

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).