Trainer Darren McAuliffe has declared his Universal Ruler filly Goldfrapp a WA Oaks type following a strong victory in the Furphy Hcp (1400m) at Belmont.

Goldfrapp sat outside the lead on Wednesday and ran out a one-length winner over He’s A Sizzler (Sizzling) and Mahaleo (Our Boy Leo).  It broke a frustrating drought for McAuliffe and stable jockey Chloe Azzopardi.

“I expected her to win here last month but Chloe was a bit too patient and didn’t use the filly’s stamina,” McAuliffe lamented in the wake of a debut fourth to Canny Jack.  “She made up for that today and will be riding lots of winners from now on.  You watch.

“This is Goldfrapp’s first prep and she’s already showing staying qualities.  We will put her away for races over more ground later this year.  Then she will come back and go through the cycle towards the Oaks.”

The G3 WA Oaks (2400m) worth $250,000 will be run at Ascot on Saturday, March 26.

“There’s been lots of seconds in the city and I’m excited to win on this filly,” Azzopardi said.  “She’s very competitive and didn’t want to pull up today  That’s a good sign for more ground.”

Goldfrapp (3f Universal Ruler – About To Blow by Saxon) is a full-sister to Master Magician who won four races at Ascot up to 2200m.  There’s more stamina a generation further back through LR Bunbury Cup winner Belarus (Xaar).

McAuliffe and Impressive Racing’s Kevin Berry have campaigned 35 individual winners by Universal Ruler.  They had raced him to three Listed wins and a G3 Belmont Sprint victory prior to his retirement to Scenic Lodge.

Universal Ruler completed a double on Wednesday with Gorgeous Gus in the Amelia Park Maiden (1200m).  He had signed off 2020-21 a winner with Looks Like Magic at Belmont last weekend.  There are another four winning chances this Saturday with Hip Wiggle, Aberdeen Queen, Manhattan Money and Zephyr Queen.

Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler and Snippetson for $8,250 service fees alongside Dash For Cash at $2,200.  All fees (inc GST).

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