10 Jun 2008
New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler considers promising two-year-old winner Court Ruler as a definite Derby prospect next season.
Court Ruler produced a sterling performance to become the 30th individual winner for Cambridge Stud sire
Viking Ruler when he scored over 1200 metres at Thursday's Taranaki meeting.
After having been placed in his first two outings, Court Ruler made no mistakes this time to score in the hands of apprentice rider Shannon Doyle who had a 1kg claim.
"It was a nice win against a handy field but he's not really a two-year-old type. He has got Derby written all over him and he could go to Melbourne in the spring for the Victoria Derby," said Wheeler. "Otherwise he will be aimed at the New Zealand Derby."
"He is a well muscled type and will get better as he goes further," Wheeler said.
Court Ruler was bred by Mr and Mrs G Hill, from Taranaki, who have been strong supporters of Viking Ruler.
Court Ruler's dam, the Pompeii Court mare Free Court, was the winner of eight races and is already the dam of Stratford Cup winner Categlory. It is the family of NZ St Leger winner Freequent.
Viking Ruler has been represented by winners in seven different countries.
His headline act this season has been the Group 2 ARC Lexus Championship Stakes winner Red Ruler.
His other stakes performed runners to date have been Pretty Vegas, Tief, Fast Ruler and Romany Princess.
Viking Ruler stands his northern hemisphere seasons in Ireland.