Trainer Brian Dean couldn't contain his delight with the performance of Powerful Ruler in last month's Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The trainer had just witnessed his 'star' finish a creditable 5.8 length fifth behind the world's second best sprinter Rocket Man in Singapore's most prestigious sprint race.
Dean described it as a career best for the son of Viking Ruler and on Sunday the rising six-year-old faces a drop in class as he lines-up in the $125,000 Kranji Stakes A over 1400m.
“On the time he ran over that distance I would have to say it was a career best performance,” said Dean during the week.
“He's been beaten about his average margin behind Rocket Man and really he didn't have a lot of luck in the straight.
“With a bit of luck at the right time he might have even finished in the placings, but having said that there were a few other unlucky ones in the race as well.”
Joao Moreira rode Powerful Ruler in the KrisFlyer but because of a commitment to the Cliff Brown-trained Merchant Saimee Jumaat will take over the reins on Sunday.
Saimee has enjoyed a good association with Powerful Ruler right from his two-year-old days having ridden him to six of his eight victories to date.
The former champion jockey was aboard Powerful Ruler at his latest win – almost 13 months ago – when successful over this afternoon's trip in Class 1 company back on May 28 last year.
“Saimee's back on him and he knows the horse extremely well,” said Dean. “He's got a good record on the horse and knows how to get the best from him.
“Everyone was happy with his run in the big race and its time now to again press on.”
Dean said he gave Powerful Ruler a brief freshen-up following his KrisFlyer fifth placing and said Powerful Ruler was in excellent order.
“He freshened up nicely and had a jumpout down the back the other day,” said Dean.
“He can be a hard horse to do a lot with but when he went into the KrisFlyer he was rock-hard fit.
“It hasn't taken much to get him to his top again and the 1400m now looks his best trip.
“Even though he's won up to 1800m, I think the older he's now getting the best races for him nowadays are over 1400m and 1600m.”
Powerful Ruler was tried as a stayer during his four-year-old season, finishing eighth behind Race Ahead in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and fifth to Race Ahead in the Group 1 Singapore Derby last year.
Both races were run over 2000m.
One thing that does concern Dean on Sunday is the prospects of a wet track after heavy rain during the week.
“Even though he's performed well on a yielding track before I just think he's better off on top of the ground,” said Dean.
“He's a big horse with a big stride and just doesn't get through the ground as well these days.”
With eight wins and 13 minor placings and more than $860,000 in prizemoney from his 32 starts to date, Powerful Ruler has been a good money spinner for the Dean stable with the trainer hoping he can top the $1 million before his retirement.
