The High Ruler win cheers up owner

“There’s no such thing as a certainty but he was quite close to it,” Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gary said after quality three year old The High Ruler won on debut at Ascot Park today.

The Bettor’s Delight gelding was sent out as favourite, paying  $1.60 in the McCallum’s Group Ltd Mobile Pace and was taken straight to the lead by stable driver Brent Barclay.

Although he knocked off at the end he won by a length and a quarter from Lynryd Skynryd which sat outside of him for most of the trip.

“He was a wee bit goofy in front today but he did the job. He’s one of those horses that gets you out of bed in the morning.”

The High Ruler was broken in by Kirk and Tristan Larsen.

“He’s done everything perfect. Not real flash. It wasn’t until we took him off the place that we thought ………… we’ve got something here.”

The High Ruler is owned by long time stable client Ross Ludermann who’s currently recovering from surgery.

“It’s been great for Ross. Ross and Bev have been great for us. They’ve had a few horses in our stable and it’s great to see him having a nice one. Hopefully that’ll cheer him up a bit.”

The High Ruler has impressed at trials and workouts and Gray expected a big showing today.

“He’s a typical Bettor’s Delight. But he’s got very high speed particularly off the back of a horse.”

And there’s been buyer interest in the three year old.

“He’s a keeper so Brent and I are lucky that we get to play with a nice one.”

Gray said he normally turns horses out after they qualify but he felt that taking the horse to the races would act as a good tonic for Ludermann. So now with the win under his belt, a nice spring paddock awaits.

“He’s going out to ‘horse heaven’ at Diane Cournane’s even though I haven’t told her yet. He’ll have two to three weeks off then we’ll get him back racing round Christmas.”

And Gray thinks The High Ruler can progress through the grades.

“He’s just a lovely relaxed horse. If I manage him well I think I can.”

The Ludermanns gave Gray the dam of The High Ruler (The Highlight) and he has a yearling colt out of her by He’s Watching. She’s due to foal to Fear The Dragon.

“I need to go to something a bit better now (laughter). If I go back to Bettor’s (Bettor’s Delight) I just need to find the $25,000.”

Ludermann as a junior driver drove his father’s horse Radiation to win at the Vincent Jockey Club meeting in January 1967. He held a trainers licence for sixteen years between 1988 and 2004 and geared up seven winners with his first being Careful Guest at Forbury Park in March 1988. Careful Guest is The High Ruler’s fourth dam.

Bruce Stewart