Wild Ruler might have firmed in the betting for the Coolmore Stud Stakes but co-trainer Paul Snowden is open to discussions of taking up a slot in The Everest after the colt scored an effortless win in the Group 2 $300,000 Polytrack Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick today.
Wild Ruler, above, scored an easy win in the Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has Wild Ruler firming in from $15 to $5 for the Group 1 $1.5m Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31 but there is still one slot owned by Chris Waller Racing to be filled for the $15m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 17 and Paul Snowden said he would let the owners discuss that if the opportunity arose.
“My guys will speak to their guys I suppose and we’ll sort it out from there,” Paul Snowden said.
“This is what it was about today. Obviously a G2 is nothing to sneeze at on his resume. We can then look at our options.”
“It’s hard to tell. In recent years the younger horses have certainly performed quite well against the older horses, especially the sprinters. It is food for thought.”
“With a more natural tempo he can relax that 10/20% better. He is still learning how to develop and settle in his races. The more racing he has, he is certainly going to achieve that. He is probably 6/12 months away from his optimum performance.”
Wild Ruler was sent out as the $1.60 odds on favourite for the Roman Consul Stakes and the punters who took the short odds were cheering a long way from home.
Winning jockey James McDonald settled Wild Ruler behind the leader Osamu in the early and middle stages and then angled the Peter and Paul Snowden colt into the clear heading up the rise at the top of the straight.
McDonald still had a good hold of Wild Ruler at the 300m and when he released the brakes, the Snitzel colt put paid to his opposition at the 250m and went on to record a two lengths victory.
The Richard and Michael Freedman trained On The Lead ($11) ran home for second with Doubtland ($3.30) a length away in third spot.
