Universal Ruler’s 2yo filly Penny On The Queen has ability to burn and the Scenic Lodge sire followed up with talented 2yo colt Lord Gannicus at Belmont last Wednesday.

Penny On The Queen won an Ascot nursery in February prior to black-type placings behind Amelia’s Jewel in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes and G2 Karrakatta Plate.

Lord Gannicus (2c Universal Ruler – Hello Paris by Rothesay) had been runner-up on debut to Tiffany Street (Street Boss) at Ascot on May 7 which augured well for the Crown Perth Maiden (1200m) at Belmont’s midweek meeting.

Sent out a long odds-on favourite, he was caught without cover but had enough class to prevail by a half-neck over Rockon Molly (Awesome Rock).  “He’s still a prep away but did a really good job today,” trainer Grant Williams said.  “He will furnish into a real good horse so we will either give him one more run or send him straight to the paddock.”

Winning jockey Pat Carbery is also keen on his prospects next season.  “He jumped better than I expected and I tried to save him for the business end.  He had to dig deep and will appreciate a longer trip than 1200m.”

Lord Gannicus is a homebred for Elio & Jacqui Galante who has raced several winners by Universal Ruler starting with Snow Lord who won 7 races for earnings of $334,300.

The Galantes have yearling and weanling full-sisters to Lord Gannicus in the pipeline.  Their dam Hello Paris won city races at Belmont (3) and Ascot and second-dam Paris Heartbeat (Marooned) was a Listed winner in Melbourne (Summoned Stakes) and Brisbane (Glenlogan Park Stakes).

UNIVERSAL RULER