Perth trainer Stefan Vahala is looking forward to Aztec Ruler’s next assignment with enthusiasm and excitement after the five-year-old went close to scoring a coveted interstate win on the weekend.
In a Melbourne first for both trainer and horse, Aztec Ruler had to play second fiddle in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington, with just It’sourtime standing in the way of a dream interstate debut.
With Jye Mcneil in the saddle, Aztec Ruler went to the line strongly for second behind It’sourtime, proving a worthy adversary in his first Flemington foray and giving Vahala cause for optimism that the gelding can go one better at his next Melbourne encounter.
Although disappointed Aztec Ruler couldn’t add a third stakes success to his racing cv, Vahala walked away from Flemington on Saturday full of admiration for his stable star, drawing confidence he will be better served stepping up to 1400m, his pet distance in a fortnight.
“My bloke was amazing dropping back to the 1200m,” Vahala said on Tabradio.
“Another 20m and I think we get there.
“The instruction to Jye was hold onto him until the 300m before you put him into the race.
“That seems to be how he finishes off best and he rode him amazingly.
“Stepping up to 1400m next start I think he’s going to be hard to beat, two weeks’ time at Caulfield.
“He pulled up amazing and smashed his dinner, he’s nice and bright and loved it.”
Aztec Ruler has been Vahala’s flag bearer for a couple of years, but a raft of minor complaints held back his progress until last year when he scored a Listed double in the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) and Carbine Club Of WA Stakes (1400m).
Being injury free and with more race options open to him, Vahala hatched a plan for Aztec Ruler to go to Melbourne after his previous run in the Gold Rush (1400m) when he placed seventh to Western Empire at Ascot in December.
“He pulled up amazing from the Gold Rush,” Vahala said.
“We haven’t had any issues with him this prep and he’s such a happy horse.
“I didn’t want to fall into that plan where you have your four or five races in winter and four or five races in summer against the same horses year in, year out.
“It’s just hard to win, he’s as good as those horses, but is definitely not better than them.
“At least when you come over here (Melbourne) you are racing against different horses all the time.
“That Group 3-Listed level they are always changing and it gives you a bit better chance of winning some races.
“He’s not that top level horse, but in our eyes he’s a freak, he handles everything.
“He flew out Tuesday, raced Saturday and up the straight for the first time.
“He does everything you ask of him.”
Vahala said his first trip to the heartbeat of Australian racing was one to savour.
“It was pretty amazing,” Vahala said.
“Let’s be honest, Flemington is the mecca for racing, it’s the holy grail.
“Just to have a runner there was a dream come true.
“To nearly win a Group race was yeah, next level.”
Aztec Ruler’s next Melbourne assignment is the John Dillon Stakes (1400m), run at Listed level at Caulfield on January 25.
