Concorde Stakes First Up for Wild Ruler

One of only three stallion prospects having accepted for Saturday's Gr2 Concorde Stakes at Royal Randwick, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Wild Ruler (Snitzel-Gypsy Robin, by Daher) will try to topple race favourite, and current The Everest favourite Nature Strip (Nicconi-Strikeline, by Desert Sun) when both line-up in Saturday's sprint contest fresh from a spell. While there is no doubting the ability of Nature Strip – even in his recent barrier trials he has looked outstanding – the China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and partners raced 4YO Wild Ruler was kept in training after last season with the aim to gain further black type as he chased that elusive Group 1 victory. Purchased from the draft of Kia Ora Stud for $525,000, Wild Ruler is relatively lightly raced with his five race wins including victory in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint and the Roman Consul Stakes, both at Gr2 level and he was also the first colt home when finishing third in the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes of his year. Second in the market behind Nature Strip, who went down in the race last year as the short price favourite, Wild Ruler has a high class first-up record with three wins and a narrow second from four attempts, so could be one to put pressure on the favourite.

Wild Ruler is hunting a Group 1 for his CV (pic: Steve Hart)