Racing
Stretan Ruler vaults into Golden Slipper contention
Philip Stokes has unveiled a genuine Golden Slipper contender at Rosehill.
Pakenham-based trainer Phillip Stokes might have got lost at Rosehill Gardens but his brilliant colt Stretan Ruler found the shortest way home to score an emphatic win in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m) on Saturday.
Stretan Ruler made everyone sit up and take notice as he ripped about the 1100m course in a fast 1:03.64s and put a margin of 3-1/2 lengths between himself and some of Sydney's best two-year-olds.
"I couldn't remember the last time I had been at Rosehill, I got a bit lost but I know where I am now,'' Stokes said.
"I've never had a Golden Slipper starter before, never been close, so this is a great thrill. He's a very exciting colt going forward.''
Stretan Ruler ($5.50), ridden by Chad Schofield, was simply too fast and too good for his rivals, posting an easy win over Eviction Notice ($31) with Hidrix ($3.60 fav) a long head away third.
Stokes had entered Stretan Ruler for the Group 1 $2 million Blue Diamond at Caulfield on Saturday but when the colt drew barrier 19, he elected to run in the Silver Slipper instead.
Stretan Ruler's Silver Slipper win earns him automatic qualification for the Group 1 $5 million Golder Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
Remarkably as much as $101 was being bet by TAB Fixed Odds about Stretan Ruler for the Golden Slipper on Saturday morning but after his Silver Slipper win he was into second favouritism at $11.
Stokes said Stretan Ruler will have one more lead-up run before the Golden Slipper.
"We will go two weeks to the Todman (Stakes), that seems to be the race that sets up well (for the Golden Slipper),'' Stokes said.
"I thought he was nearly there today. I just think the trip away now, he will take a lot of benefit from this, first time going Sydney way, too.
"I obviously thought enough of him to have him in the Blue Diamond but we scratched because of the barrier (19). He's a very nice horse.''
Schofield described Stretan Ruler as a colt with a "great attitude, very genuine and just oozes quality.''
"He's got a very good turn of foot,'' Schofield said.
"The blinkers obviously sharpened him right up, he travelled well on a hot speed, and then accelerated sharply off that and was very strong through the line. He couldn't have been any more impressive.''
Stretan Ruler is now on target to become the ninth complete the Silver Slipper-Golden Slipper double after Farnan (2020), She Will Reign (2017), Mossfun (2014), Pierro (2012), Luskin Star (1977), Baguette (1970) and Eskimo Prince (1964).
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