Vahala Shares Same Confidence For Aztec Ruler As Punters
Punters have honed in on Aztec Ruler to take out the Tabtouch Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday and trainer Stefan Vahala is confident his talented gelding can continue his winning ways.
Free of any injury concerns that stifled his three-year-old season, Aztec Ruler is living up to the potential and hype that was first mooted after he won the opening two races of his career.
The son of Universal Ruler has been a real eye-catcher at Belmont recently, going back-to-back and recording powerful come from behind victories with a devastating turn of foot.
Aztec Ruler has been crunched in betting after his win three weeks ago when he circled the field from last and made light work of the 60kg he had to carry on his back.
Vahala says Aztec Ruler is improving with each run.
“He just keeps improving and is a happy horse who is loving his racing,” Vahala said on Tabradio.
“He is 110 per cent sound and is enjoying at the minute.
“We’ve struck a nice race for him, he’s the young one coming through.
“He has no weight on his back and hopefully he can do like his last couple.”
After flashing runs over 1400m this preparation, Vahala is keen to gauge how Aztec Ruler handles stepping up to a mile for the first time in the Tabtouch Stakes.
He’s confident the extra journey will pose no threat.
“Last prep Chris (Parnham) and I were both thinking he wanted 1400-1600,” Vahala said.
“This prep we moved him up to the 1400 pretty quick, I always thought he would want the 1600, he races like he wants the 1600.
“Now is the right time to find out, I think.”
Another dominant display from Aztec Ruler in the Tabtouch Stakes could force a rethink from Vahala.
He had intended on playing the patient game and bypassing the Ascot Pinnacles carnival, but will reassess plans after the weekend.
“If he was to come out and win the way he’s been winning it’s obviously hard to put a horse out in that good of form that’s enjoying it so much back into the paddock,” Vahala said.
“It will be something we definitely can discuss after the race, but he would have to be winning it quite well to contemplate moving forward.”
Aztec Ruler carries 55kg and jumps from barrier three for jockey, Chris Parnham.
After punters took the $2.15 Tabtouch put up on Wednesday, Aztec Ruler has shortened to $1.70.
Julio Santarelli
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