Racing: Group One at last for Red

Red Ruler, ridden by Mark du Plessis, wins the Darci Brahma International Stakes. Photo / NZPA

Red Ruler capped a series of frustrating minor placings in Group One company with a well-deserved victory in the $200,000 Darci Brahma International Stakes at Te Rapa yesterday.

Given a dream on-the-pace sit by Mark Du Plessis in third position throughout, Red Ruler strode to the front midway down the home stretch fighting off the determined late challenge from Booming to score by three-quarters of a length.

A further short head away third was Passchendaele.

Red Ruler has been a consistent Group One place getter and yesterday's victory was well-deserved.

Trainer John Sargent was full of praise for Du Plessis.

"It was a lovely ride by Mark as he got the horse into a perfect position and with the pace on everything just fell into place nicely," said Sargent.

"He fought on extra well when those other two horses came at him. Getting a Group One win with this horse has been elusive and if any horse deserves it - it's him.

"He's entered for the Auckland Cup and we'll just sit down now and review where we want to go with him."

The Sargent-trained Passchendaele made ground stylishly late to finish third, carrying 57kg, and will drop considerably in the weight scale for the Auckland Cup.

Booming was given every chance by Opie Bosson three places back on the outer but could not catch the winner over the closing 100m.

David Ellis had two reasons to have a very large spring in his step at Te Rapa racecourse yesterday following the dominant victory by outstanding filly King's Rose.

Ellis paid $875,000 two weeks ago for the Red Ransom-sired half-brother to King's Rose at New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Sale at Karaka.

He was determined to get the colt as King's Rose is trained out of his stable, Te Akau Thoroughbreds.

King's Rose is the princess of New Zealand's outstanding crop of 3-year-old fillies beyond 1600m as further indicated by a ruthless victory in the $100,000 (Group Two) Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic.

The muscular daughter of Redoute's Choice was given a dream sit by Opie Bosson settling four places back on the outer before sweeping forward three wide to challenge the leaders on the home turn.

When Bosson asked King's Rose to sprint the response was mouth watering as she quickly reeled in the leaders then started to take in the sights down the outside rail.

Bosson had to resort to the whip to keep the favourite focussed over the closing 100m easing up at the finishing line one length clear of Insurgent with a further long neck back to Annie Higgins (third).

King's Rose has been a magical kick start to the new season for Te Akau's New Zealand-based trainer Jason Bridgman.

With Mark Walker now based in Singapore with a large chunk of the older, well-performed stock of Te Akau, King's Rose has been flying the flag in New Zealand.

"It was a good effort as we had a nice run the whole race and got into it at the right time in the straight," said Bosson.

"She got to the front a bit early and pricked her ears and had a look around the track. I had to give her a couple with the whip to remind her the race wasn't over but she did it easy."

The futurity Stakes in Melbourne or the Haunui Farm Weight-For-Age in Otaki are on the cards for Mufhasa after he won the Waikato Sprint.

Against a hot field including Emirates Stakes winner Wall Street and boom filly We Can Say It Now, the race-hardened Mufhasa raced clear to score possibly the best of his five Group One wins.

The Pentire gelding settled second behind tearaway leader Coup Align, gathered him in about 300m out and sprinted away for a decisive 1 length victory from Wall Street and Keep The Peace.

Mufhasa came into the race after winning the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham and his fitness helped against Wall Street, Keep The Peace and We Can Say It Now, all resuming after a summer break.

"He was the race-fit horse in the race and with the fast speed in front it really played into his hands," trainer Stephen McKee said of the $2 million earner.

McKee said Mufhasa would be nominated for the Haunui Farm WFA and the Futurity, both run on the same day.

Owner David Archer said track conditions would decide which race the 6-year-old targeted.

Wall Street ran on strongly and will head to the Haunui Farm WFA next start.

"He was off the bit most of the run and he made ground really well. He'll improve with the run," jockey Michael Coleman said.

Keep The Peace will also head to the Otaki race before being taken to Sydney for the Ranvet and the BMW.

Favourite We Can Say It Now could not sprint with Mufhasa on the turn but ground away well and finished fifth, less than two lengths from Wall Street.

Additional reporting NZPA