The Law Rules

At just his second start, Rule Of Law (3 g Justify – Repeat, by Darci Brahma) produced a promising victory in the $18,500 Ultimate Mazda Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 18 October at Tauranga.

After working forward from a wide gate (13) and lifting for third when debuting in the Maiden 1400 metres on 20 September at Matamata, Rule Of Law was good enough to prevail over a solid field this early in his career.

Again displaying gate speed to head off a line of five in the early rush for positions, Rule Of Law settled nicely once in front for rider Opie Bosson, drew a two-length advantage after cornering well for the run home and found plenty to win comfortably. 

“He’s a nice relaxed type, he jumped well last time and did the same again, and I think the further in distance he goes, the better,” Bosson said. 

“He’s a horse with a nice action and he’s a promising staying prospect.”

On Soft6 footing, Rule Of Law ran 1400 metres in 1:25.5, last 600m in 35.8, and justified favouritism to return $3.10 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a really good performance and he looks to be a nice staying horse,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“He’ll only continue to improve as he has more experience, but I liked the way he quickened up in front to establish a break and kept up a very strong gallop. 

“He relaxed very well, because he had to do it at both ends of the race, so he's definitely a horse with a future over ground.

“One thing I think we’ve learnt about these horses by Justify is that they seem to improve lengths with blinkers on.”

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from The Oaks Stud draft, Rule Of Law is owned by Te Akau 2022 Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

By US Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy), his dam, Repeat, is a sister to dual Group One winner Recite (Darci Brahma), out of Champion 2YO Filly Chant (Traditionally).  Coolmore Stud announced this week that Justify would command a fee of US$200,000 in 2024.

It was the second Te Akau winner in a week for Justify, after Star Of Justice won the Barneswood Farm Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on 16 October at Ashburton, ahead of fulfilling her nomination in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Ellis also purchased dam sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) as a yearling at Karaka, and the five time Group One winner has become an outstanding sire and broodmare sire. 

Trained by Mark Walker, Darci Brahma was one of the absolute best racehorses to grace tracks over the last 20 years in New Zealand. 

Her dam Repeat won twice to 1600 metres, while her sister Recite was a high quality filly that won seven times to 1600 metres including two Group Ones. 

Grand-dam Chant (Traditionally) was another high quality filly, an exceptionally competitive two-year-old, and Champion 2YO Filly. 

At the time of purchasing Rule Of Law, Ellis said: “He’s a beautiful colt by the new stallion, Justify, and people that have young progeny by him are very impressed. 

“He walked well, is very correct, medium sized, all quality, and there was plenty of competition to buy him.”

Rule Of Law has a cross of outstanding sire and sire of sires Mr. Prospector, on the sire line of Justify and dam line of Repeat.

Rule Of Law was strapped by Sage Venter. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz