Strapping winner by Universal Ruler

Snow Lord has taken time to hit his straps after being far from straightforward as a younger horse for trainers Grant & Alana Williams.

The Universal Ruler 3yo is in his second prep and his latest victory at Ascot on Saturday made it 3 wins from 4 starts this year.  A homebred for Elio & Jacquie Galante, he will be winning over longer trips than 1000m.

“He was a handful early but got it pretty right today,” Alana said.  “He settled and relaxed and then worked home late.  He tackled them with a good turn of foot and that will get him out to 1100m and 1200m.”

Snow Lord could have been unbeaten this time in.  He sweated on a rails run at Ascot on April 1 and got through late only to be swamped by Glimmer Girl.

He’s the first foal for Snowshoes (Blackfriars) who won at Belmont for the Galantes.  They also bred and raced Ascot winner Let Me Impress by using Universal Ruler over a mare by Blackfriars.

Universal Ruler stands at Scenic Lodge and has sired the winners of over $700,000 in prizemoney this season led by Mungrup Stud Sprint winner Rebel King.  His largest foal crop (88) are yearlings and they sold for $50,000-plus at the 2017 Perth Magic Millions.