Wild Ruler’s new-found maturity was on display at Rosehill when he settled beautifully for James McDonald before racing away with the Heritage Stakes.
Roman Consul Next Stop For Wild Ruler
A template used 12 months ago with Cosmic Force will again be a spring road map for Peter and Paul Snowden, this time with Wild Ruler.
The three-year-old resumed with a comprehensive win in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday to confirm a start in next month’s Roman Consul Stakes.
Cosmic Force contested both races last year, finishing second in the Heritage and winning the Roman Consul, before a solid sixth in a quality edition of the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
Paul Snowden confirmed Wild Ruler would be put on a similar path, provided he continued to perform.
The colt was immature last campaign but the stable believed a winter excursion to Brisbane had been the making of him.
“He had the trip away and it is just starting to come together slowly,” Paul Snowden said.
“Six months ago he wouldn’t have relaxed that well in and around other runners.
“There is the Roman Consul in a couple of weeks so that’s a good guide to which races we head to down south.”
Love Tap confirmed his favouritism for next month’s Group One Spring Champion Stakes when he made it four wins in as many starts in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m).
Trainers Richard and Michael Freedman have been patient with the three-year-old, teaching him his craft on country circuits before stepping him up to stakes grade at Rosehill.
Richard Freedman said they had not planned to make the running on Saturday but jockey Nash Rawiller took the race by the horns.
“I said to Nash, ‘don’t let the leaders get too far away’. He kind of took that a bit literally,” Freedman said.
“I was happy to see him out there. They would have to run some good sectionals to run over him.”
Starting a $1.70 favourite, Love Tap never looked in danger to score by 1-3/4 lengths over the fast-finishing Street Dancer and Bucharest.