The decision to bring his progressive two-year-old Stretan Ruler to Sydney paid off on Saturday for Phillip Stokes with his talented colt posting a huge 2026 Silver Slipper Stakes win at Rosehill to firm into second favouritism for the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper back at the track on March 21.

The nicely bred son of Wild Ruler had his first start outside of Melbourne in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) and showed he could handle the other way of racing aplomb with a commanding 3.47 length romp home over his rivals.

“It’s a big thrill,” Stokes told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.

“He put paid to them, conducted himself beautifully. He’s an exciting colt going forward.”

After an eye-catching spring debut when narrowly denied in Caulfield’s Listed Merson Cooper Stakes, he had his first run of the autumn on February 7 finishing a game fourth only 1.65 lengths off Closer To Free in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G).

Stokes opted to bring him north second-up for the Silver Slipper over a run in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) this weekend.

Stretan Ruler was the first emergency in the Blue Diamond field and would have gained a run with the shock withdrawal of long-time favourite Big Sky on the eve of the race.

A wide barrier draw for the $2 million feature however saw Stokes switch plans and run him at Rosehill.

“He is a nice horse. I thought enough of him to have him in the Blue Diamond,” Stokes said.

“We scratched because of the barrier.

“We had everything ticked (to come to Sydney). When we got the bad barrier there and this looked good.

“We didn’t know how to line up the form to be honest. Looks like the Melbourne horses might have the edge over Sydney horses.”

Next-up Stokes confirmed Stretan Ruler would continue down the traditional Golden Slipper path and contest the Group 2 $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200m) on March 7 before tackling the big one back at Rosehill a fortnight later.

“Two weeks to the Todman, that seems to be the race that sets up well,” he said.

“I thought he was nearly there today. His first up run he was found wanting. I just think the trip away now; he will take a lot of benefit from this.

“First time going Sydney way too. Has conducted himself well there too.

“Chad Schofield gave him a lovely ride. He filled me with confidence when he got on the horse. A lovely watch.”

It was the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Eviction Notice leading the Silver Slipper field at the home turn before Chad Schofield came with a big run on the eventual winner who burst clear and gapped them late.

“Even just going to the gates, he’s just a beautiful animal,” Schofield said of Stretan Ruler.

“A colt with a great attitude, very genuine and just oozes quality. Yes (the connections) were full of confidence, and I got mine going to the gates.

“Very good turn of foot. The blinkers obviously sharpened him right up.

“He travelled well on a hot speed and then accelerated sharply off that and was very strong through the line.

“He couldn’t have been any more impressive.”

The front-running Eviction Notice held for a distant third while Chris Waller‘s exciting grey Hidrix, coming off a winning Group 3 Canonbury Stakes debut, made up plenty of ground to finish third.

“Very good run. He’s found himself in a different set up today and I thought he conducted himself well. He’ll be better for 1200m now,” Hidrix’s jockey Zac Lloyd said.

Farnan (2020) was the last two-year-old to complete the Silver Slipper – Golden Slipper double.

Stretan Ruler’s all-in quote for the 2026 Golden Slipper Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has come in from $51 to $8 and he now occupies the second line of futures betting behind Warwoven ($7).

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