Stretan Ruler wins Group 2

23 Feb 2026

Scratched from Saturday's Blue Diamond after drawing barrier 19, Philip Stokes elected to send Stretan Ruler to Sydney instead and reaped the rewards with a demolition job in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m).

 

Having just his third start in a hot field that included three stakes winners, Stretan Ruler settled behind the leaders and found clear air on the home turn, powering clear at the 200m mark to win by 3.5L.

 

Group 3 placed Eviction Notice (Stay Inside) filled second place, with Group 3 Canonbury Stakes winner Hidrix (Extreme Choice) coming in third.

 

Sretan Ruler showed promise at his first start pre-Christmas, running second by a nose to Eternal Warrior (Extreme Warrior) in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield.

 

Given a short spell, he returned two weeks ago with a good fourth in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) behind Closer Tp Free (Street Boss) and Guest House (Home Affairs), who ran second and third respectively in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on Saturday.

 

Now aiming to be the first ever Golden Slipper runner for Philip Stokes, Stretan Ruler's next run will be in the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Rosehill in two weeks.

 

Bred by Grant Briscoe and Kirk's Bridge Farm, Stretan Ruler was prepared by Willow Park and sold at Inglis Easter last year for $220,000 to his trainer and Suman Hedge Bloodstock.

 

A half-brother to Group 2 winner Stretan Angel (Harry Angel), he has the distinction of being the first stakes winner for Newgate Farm's exciting young sire Wild Ruler (Snitzel). 

 

Our third stakes winner this season, Stretan Ruler continues a great season for two-year-old graduates, following Lassified's (Stay Inside x Exclusive Lass) Listed win earlier this season.