Greg Eurell expects to get an idea about the 2016 Caulfield Guineas prospects of Urban Ruler after the gelding makes his stakes racing debut at Flemington.
Urban Ruler has won two of his three starts and the three-year-old steps up to 1400m for the first time in Saturday’s Listed Starlight Express Room Stakes.
Eurell says Urban Ruler hasn’t missed a beat since he won a midweek race first-up over 1300m at Sandown on August 24 and believes he should get the run of the race from barrier one.
Urban Ruler led at Sandown but Eurell is convinced he is a better horse when he can get cover and have something to chase down.
“It’s a step up in grade but he deserves the opportunity and I think he’ll run well,” Eurell said.
Eurell admits the Caulfield Guineas is a dream but says he hopes Urban Ruler can prove he is up to the challenge.
“We’re aiming for the stars a little bit but I think Saturday will probably give us a good guide,” Eurell said.
“There’s also the option of the Bill Stutt Stakes if need be, and he’s still a little bit immature.
“Whatever he does this time I think is a bonus.”
He said Urban Ruler would have to run extremely well to have confidence heading to the Guineas.
“You’d like to see him run in the first three I would think,” Eurell said.
“Because from there you’d go to the Prelude where he’ll be stepping up in grade again.”
Urban Ruler is at $10 in an open market with VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Seaburge one of three runners on the top line at $6.
