The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Wild Ruler (Snitzel) delivered a massive boost to his value as a potential stallion with a hard-fought victory in the G1 Charter Keck Moir S.
The Newgate/China Horse Club-owned son of Snitzel relished the strong pace and benefitted from a cool ride from a white-hot Daniel Moor.
He was able to fight off the late challenge from the Cliff Brown-trained The Inferno (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), with Godolphin veteran Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}), who was second in the race last year, finishing well into third.
“It was an impressive win,” stable foreman Andrew Angelone said. “It was a very tough win, and congratulations to everyone involved.
“I last saw him when he ran in the Coolmore (Stud S. – last October) and he has just matured so much, He’s such a lovely type of horse. He’s just fantastic.”
After an 18-year wait for his first Group 1 winner, aboard Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S., Moor had to wait just six days for his second.
“It’s all happening! I’m really thankful for the opportunities, especially China Horse Club and Henry Field and the team at Newgate Farm and the Snowdens, they have given me an outstanding opportunity here,” he said.
“I just want to ride more now. It’s a pretty good feeling.”
Moor was full of praise for Wild Ruler, the colt by Snitzel out of imported mare Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher {Can}), who was a multiple Grade 2 winner in the United States.
“He is one of the most professional sprinters I have ever ridden. I rode a smart horse for the connections in Super One, but this bloke is just a new level. Everything I asked him to do, he is just the ultimate professional and gee he has a really good turn of foot,” he said.
“He’s an electric racehorse and hopefully he can do that at stud now.”
It is the 16th Group 1 win for Peter and Paul Snowden as a training partnership. They have enjoyed a strong relationship with the China Horse Club/Newgate-led ownership group through Group 1-winning horses such as Russian Revolution and Captivant (Capitalist).
The race didn’t evolve in the favour of favourite Profiteer (Capitalist), who was not afforded the luxury of an uncontested lead. The 3-year-old colt had to sit outside of Ballistic Lover (Smart Missile).
Meanwhile, Wild Ruler enjoyed a perfect run sitting just off the pace and then forged through a gap in the straight to quickly out paid to the leaders. The Inferno loomed as challenger, but Wild Ruler held sway by 0.1l, with another 1.5l back to Trekking, who was working home well for third.
Ballistic Lover finished fourth, ahead of Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}), while Profiteer finished sixth.
Wild Ruler was a $525,000 purchase from the draft of his breeders at Kia Ora Stud at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
