Viking Ruler can celebrate his transfer to Mornmoot Stud in Victoria with a Group 1 victory in the Singapore Derby on July 11.  He has a live chance in the classic after Powerful Ruler won over 1400m at Kranji on Friday night.

Powerful Ruler (4g Viking Ruler – Capsimation by Kaapstad) has been a model of consistency for the No Limit Stable and trainer Brian Dean.  From 20 starts, he has won 10 races and been placed 8 times including two seconds at Group level behind champion galloper Rocket Man.

The gelding blotted his copybook last time out in the G2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup when a distant eighth to Race Ahead.  “I never doubted he would bounce back,” Dean said on Friday night.  “He probably ran his worst race in the QE II Cup because he could not handle the rain-affected track.”

Powerful Ruler will have a final Derby lead-up in the Patron’s Bowl (1600m) on June 16.  He is a younger half-brother to the New Zealand winners Tina Temple (Diamond Express) and Suzie Temple (Mellifont) and hails from the family of the Sir Tristram G1 winners Sovereign Red (Victoria Derby & VATC Caulfield Guineas), Gurner’s Lane (VRC Melbourne Cup & VATC Caulfield Cup) and Trichelle (VATC Marlboro Cup).

Viking Ruler was a G1 winner of the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick and has sired winners in 13 countries from his former base at Cambridge Stud.  “Viking Ruler is going to be very popular in Victoria,” Robert Thompson of Mornmoot Stud said.  “He will certainly appeal to breeders who race their own stock.”

Viking Ruler is by Danehill and is the sire of 97 winners including Queensland Derby winner Court Ruler, leading NZ stayer Red Ruler and the Bart Cummings-trained stakes winning sprinter Kroner.

Viking Ruler represents one of the all-time great New Zealand families.  He is a brother to Kempinsky (AAMI Vase-G2) and their dam Trisalove (Sir Tristram) and second dam Diamond Lover (Sticks And Stones) were both G1 winners.  The third dam is Eight Carat.

“We’re delighted about the new opportunity Viking Ruler will have in Australia,” Sir Patrick Hogan said.  “He’s going to a highly reputable place and will be cared for in exactly the same manner as has been the case at Cambridge Stud.”