5 Jul 2008
The promising
Viking Ruler two-year-old
Powerful Ruler (NZ) (ex Capsimation by Kaapstad) measured up to some of the best rated juveniles in Singapore this season when he claimed the S$125,000 2YO Open (1200m) on Friday night.
Ridden by Saimee Jumaat
Powerful Ruler (NZ) engaged in a stirring head-to-head battle down the Kranji straight, but got the better of his opposition at the line to claim his first career win by a half-head, stopping the clock in a smart time of 1min 10.9secs.
Powerful Ruler (NZ),
pictured below, had given notice of his galloping ability when finishing second on debut in June, and Friday's success gave even more reason for his connections to be excited about his racing future.
"I've always had a high opinion of him. He was rock-hard fit for today's race, but he is still learning what racing is all about," said his trainer Brian Dean.
"He will go for a break now. He won on pure ability today and I'm sure he will come back an improved horse," Dean said.
The royally-bred Cambridge Stud-based sire
Viking Ruler (Danehill) has achieved a remarkable 80% winners-to-runner ratio in Singapore this season, with
Powerful Ruler
(NZ) being one of four individual winners from just five runners
With nine individual winners from 23 runners in New Zealand,
Viking Ruler (AUS) currently sits fourth spot on the New Zealand second-season sire's premiership, and boasts the Group 2 ARC Lexus Champsionship Stakes winner and Group 1 AJC Derby runner-up
Red Ruler (NZ) as his most notable stakes result to date.
Viking Ruler (AUS) will stand at Cambridge Stud this season at a fee of $10,000 (plus GST), alongside
One Cool Cat ($15,000 plus GST),
Keeper ($15,000 plus GST),
Lucky Unicorn ($8,000 plus GST), and
Zabeel ($100,000 plus GST).