Rulers Impress McAuliffe

Ascot trainer Darren McAuliffe is upbeat about the future of his Blackfriars two year-old Ram Jam.

Ram Jam (2g Blackfriars – Nurse Betty by Johannesburg) won the Pinjarra Park on Facebook Maiden (1400m) on Thursday after powering panels clear at the top of the straight.  “He’s a different Blackfriars and is a bit finer than most of them,” McAuliffe said.  “But there’s plenty of staying ability in him.”

Ram Jam has a rising two year-old half-sister by Universal Ruler who stands alongside Blackfriars at Scenic Lodge.  And if McAuliffe is optimistic about Ram Jam, he positively bubbles with enthusiasm when previewing the first crop of Universal Ruler.

“I’ve got 20 of them and the half-sister to Ram Jam is a nice filly,” he said.  “She broke in well but can be a bit of a Miss.  That’s okay, I don’t mind some fire in a filly.  She will go early.”

McAuliffe reckons he has a few Universal Rulers that will be prominent when the two year-olds get mobile in October.  Among the early ones, he pin-pointed the half-brothers to LR Perth Stakes winner El Rijes (Eternity Range) and LR Aquanita Stakes winner Rebelson (Snippetson).

Prepared by McAuliffe in an all-too-short 12 start career, Universal Ruler (Scenic) defeated Scenic Blast in the LR Perth Stakes at two and returned to claim the LR Bunbury Stakes and LR Easter Stakes at Ascot as a three year-old.

McAuliffe trains under the Impressive Racing banner.  He founded the company with businessman Kevin Berry in 2004 and they’ve continued to support Universal Ruler at stud.

Universal Ruler will stand for a $3,850 (inc gst) service fee at Scenic Lodge this year.