Singapore trainer Brian Dean has labelled smart three-year-old
Powerful Ruler (by Viking Ruler) as the best horse in his stable.
Powerful Ruler further enhanced his big reputation with a resounding win in the S$65,000 Novice Stakes over 1200m at Kranji on Friday night.
Ridden by Saimee Jumaat, Powerful Ruler scored by a neck over Ready For Success (Danny Beasley) with Best Knight (Mark Gallagher) a length-and-a-half away third.
“I think he’s the best horse in my stable,” said Dean on the
Singapore Turf Club website. “When the second horse came to him he looked like running past him.
“But Saimee just gave him one around the backside. He responded like a good horse.
Dean said his aim since Powerful Ruler arrived in Singapore had been the $200,000 Orchid Trophy over 1200m on November 21.
“That should be enough to qualify him for the race now,” said Dean. “But there will be a lot of others in the chase for a place in the field as well.”
Although the Orchid Trophy at the 1200m journey is Dean’s aim with Powerful Ruler, he can’t wait to try the three-year-old over a longer trip.
“I think he’s going to be a much better horse when he steps up in ground,” said Dean. “The 1400m and 1600m are going to be ideal for him.
“He can settle in his races and has a nice turn of foot.
“But first we have the Orchid Trophy to worry about. I’ll just keep him ticking over until that race comes around,” he said.
Powerful Ruler has won two of his three starts to date and has collected prize-money earnings of S$114,175. He finished second on debut on June 22 and was then successful next time out on July 4.
Powerful Ruler was bred by New Zealander Les Temple who raced his half-sisters, Tina Temple (by Diamond Express) and Suzie Temple (by Mellifont), in New Zealand with both horses showing plenty of ability in their racing careers.
He is from the same family as outstanding gallopers Sovereign Red, Gurners Lane and Trichelle.
Powerful Ruler's latest success capped a big weekend for promising Cambridge Stud sire
Viking Ruler (Danehill x Tristalove).
In New Zealand, over the weekend Viking Ruler sired the Saturday Hastings winner
Perky Parrot and then Sunday's Pukekohe winner
Naadji.