History says it will be difficult for Wild Ruler to win the 2022 Oakleigh Plate, but jockey Mark Zahra believes he is partnering the right horse in the Group 1 sprint.
Wild Ruler has to lump the equal topweight of 58kg in Saturday’s 1100m at Caulfield and since the race went metric in 1973, only one horse, Flamberge in 2016, has carried that weight to victory.
It is no doubt a task for the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained sprinter to overcome, but what Zahra felt underneath him when partnering Wild Ruler at Caulfield on Tuesday morning gives him confidence.
Wild Ruler is the $8 second favourite with TAB for Saturday’s race which sees the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Marabi a dominant $2.40 top elect.
Away Game and Minhaaj share the next line at $8.50.
Wild Ruler won the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley last September and has not been seen since finishing last in The Everest the following month.
The son of Snitzel has an imposing record of three wins and two seconds from five first-up runs and has had the benefit of two trials to prepare for Saturday’s return.
Zahra took Wild Ruler up the chute on Tuesday to give the entire a look at the track and was impressed with the way he galloped over 800m.
“It was the first time I’ve been on him, and he was really relaxed,” Zahra said.
“His work was really good and the further we went, the more he improved though it and he worked well enough to run a very good race on Saturday.
“There’s always a heap of pressure in this race so you need a horse that has a bit of speed so you can be somewhere in touch, and I would think he won’t be too far away.
“The Snowden’s are very good trainers and they’ve targeted this race for a little while.
“He’s set and ready to go.”