Weekend Double for Universal Ruler

Universal Ruler is shaping up for another successful season following his Sunspeed freshman title in 2013-14.

The Scenic Lodge stallion completed a weekend double with Solar Rule (Belmont) and Let Me Impress (Northam) and is now fourth on the Australian second-season premiership behind Darley sires Medaglia d’Oro & Denman and Victorian based Wanted.

SOLAR RULE (3g Universal Ruler – Soleil Vitesse by Ron Bon) toughed out a strong win at his first start in the Westspeed 3YO Hcp (1400m) on Saturday. “He’s better than average and we were pretty confident,” stable spokesman Geoff van de Molen said. “We have a good opinion of this horse and that was justified today.”

The winner is a homebred for the Impressive Racing owner-trainer team of Kevin Berry and Darren McAuliffe. They bought his dam Soleil Vitesse for $29,000 at the 2006 Perth Magic Millions but her best was only good enough for a Geraldton placing in 8 starts.

Universal Ruler revived the mare’s pedigree which goes back to the brilliant greys Jungle Dawn and Jungle Miss.

LET ME IMPRESS (3f Universal Ruler – Urlay Nook by Blackfriars) was racing second-up after a 20 week spell to win the Allworks Maiden (1300m) on Sunday. She led from start to finish carrying the blue and gold colours of part-owners Elio and Jacque Galante that were made famous by Scenic Blast.

Universal Ruler defeated Scenic Blast in the 2007 Perth Stakes at Ascot before the latter went on claim Australian Horse of the Year honours.

Scenic Lodge owner David Smith sold Let Me Impress as a weanling for $3,000 and she is the latest winner to carry the Universal Ruler – Blackfriars cross. Her dam Urlay Nook won 7 races and is a sister to the stakes winners Full Reign (LR Challenge Stakes) and Impact Rating (LR Boulder Cup).

Universal Ruler (Scenic) has now sired the winners of 11 races from his first crop for earnings of $570,000. He is standing for a $3,850 (inc gst) service fee Scenic Lodge this year.

By Karl Patterson