Everest Next for Wild Ruler After Moir Victory

Henry Field expects an Everest Stakes (G1) slot to be locked away as soon as Monday for Wild Ruler after the colt clinched an important Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (G1) win Sept. 24, his first at the highest level, which in turn ensures he has a spot on the Newgate Farm stallion roster guaranteed next year.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Wild Ruler, owned by Newgate founder Field, China Horse Club, and partners, is all but certain to gain a spot in the $15 million, 12-runner Everest after adding the group 1 to the stallion's CV at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

There are four Everest slot holders yet to select a horse—the James Harron syndicate, Coolmore, Godolphin, and Yulong—after Aquis Farm agreed to terms with Gerry Harvey, John Singleton, and trainer Anthony Cummings about running Libertini late yesterday.

Godolphin is expected to select one of its own horses, possibly last night's Moir third place-getter Trekking, leaving the other three parties to ramp up negotiations with Field.

"All the slot holders are good mates, they are all good friends of mine, so I am sure we will sort something out on Monday when we are back to business," an elated Field told ANZ Bloodstock News last night.

"We have had communications from every remaining slot holder and I can tell you the honest truth, we haven't done anything yet ... I just wanted to knock that group 1 off before we locked a slot in."

And knock it off he certainly did. Wild Ruler had a short-head margin over The Inferno, who did nothing to harm his own Everest appeal, with Trekking one and a half lengths further away in third.  

Wild Ruler went into the Moonee Valley race on the back of a first-up second to Nature Strip  in the Sept. 4 Concorde Stakes (G3) at Randwick.

"He was literally as soft as butter in the Concorde and he was only beaten a couple of lengths by Nature Strip in that ... and there was a lot of discussion about whether we ran him in the Moir tonight or last Saturday in The Shorts," Field said.

"Peter (Snowden) was adamant with the improvement he had after his first-up run that he'd be right there in The Shorts, which would make sense if you take a line through Nature Strip, but we just wanted that group 1 on his CV and now he will step out in The Everest in three weeks' time."

After the decision was made to scratch Wild Ruler from The Shorts Stakes (G2) in Sydney last Saturday, a race won by confirmed Everest runner Eduardo (Host), connections were left with one conundrum: who would ride the horse in the Moir?

"We spoke to Peter and Paul Snowden last week and Paul decided we will just sit there and watch the races and whomever rode the best would get the ride in the Moir and that rider last Saturday was Daniel Moor," Field revealed.

"That is how he got the ride and it was decided literally after the last race (at Caulfield) and you can't beat any sportsperson who has got their confidence up. He couldn't have ridden him any better.

"He had intent and rode him beautifully."

Moor, who had not won a group 1 race in Australia prior to last week's Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on Sierra Sue, was again in the right place, right time and he made the most of the opportunity.

"I'm really thankful for the opportunities, especially China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Henry Field, and the Snowdens," Moor said.

"They've given me an outstanding opportunity here, and I'm very pleased to make the most of it."

Moor said Wild Ruler was one of the most professional sprinters he has been associated with.

"I rode a smart horse for connections in Super One, but this bloke is just a new level," Moor said. "Everything I asked him to do he was the ultimate professional and he's got a really good turn of foot."