Vahala’s Ruler up for a 2026 Standish Handicap fight

Stefan Vahala accepts Aztec Ruler faces a stiffer challenge in this year’s Standish Handicap, but believes his seasoned campaigner is ready to rise to the occasion.

The Perth gelding returns to Flemington hoping to improve on last year’s narrow defeat, when he was beaten a head by It’Sourtime in the $200,000 Group 3.

Vahala said Aztec Ruler is racing better than he was a year ago and will carry less weight, although he acknowledges the opposition has strengthened.

“He’s going better than last year, but I think unfortunately the field’s a bit stronger than last year,” he said.

“My bloke’s definitely going better than ever, though, so we’re looking forward to it.”

After finishing second with 59kg in last year’s Standish Handicap, Aztec Ruler drops to 57.5kg this time, matching Hedged, with Maharba, Lim’s Kosciuszko and Aviatress also lining up.

The Universal Ruler gelding again finished sixth in the Group 3 Gold Rush (1400m), similar to his preparation last year, but it was his prior effort that convinced Vahala to target the Standish once more.

In that run, Aztec Ruler was beaten only by eventual Group 1 Northerly Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader.

“His last run, he was ridden against his pattern and he got tired the last 150, but he put himself in the race and was really strong until that 150, whereas in previous preps if he’d have been ridden like that, he would have really dropped out,” Vahala said.

“His run before that, running second to probably WA’s best horse in Cosmic Crusader, that was a big run as well. So without winning, he’s been very good.”

Drawing barrier six in the 12-horse field was seen as ideal, with Vahala confident Aztec Ruler’s straight-track experience will again come into play.

“I think he enjoys the straight, it really suits him,” he said.

“He can really get into a rhythm and then let down that last 300, which is sort of his racing pattern.

“He travelled in Monday night, he settled in beautifully, and I think that extra 12 months and that previous travel has definitely helped him.”

Markets are open with major betting platforms for the Standish Handicap, giving punters a wide range of options ahead of the Group 3.

Leading WA rider Chris Parnham, who has partnered Aztec Ruler at his past two starts, will jet in to take the ride on Saturday.

The post Vahala’s Ruler up for Standish Handicap fight first appeared on Just Horse Racing.