One Ruler takes on Wembley in Vertem Futurity Trophy

One Ruler, who had been mentioned as a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), comes off a victory in the Autumn (G3) down the straight mile at Newmarket. Two starts back, the Charlie Appleby trainee was the beaten favorite in the Sept. 11 Flying Scotsman at this track. Although he wound up third to Breeders’ Cup-bound New Mandate that day, regular rider William Buick believes he didn’t get the most straightforward trip. As a son of Dubawi and Group 2 winner Fintry, One Ruler is bred to improve with time, and Saturday figures to mark another stage in his progress. 

Wembley has earned favoritism after back-to-back runner-up efforts in marquee juvenile events. Outperforming his 22-1 odds when second in the Sept. 13 Vincent O’Brien National (G1) at the Curragh, the Galileo colt took another step forward to chase home stablemate St Mark’s Basilica in the Dewhurst (G1) at Newmarket. The step up to a mile should suit the full brother to Johannes Vermeer, who was second in the 2015 edition of this race. If Wembley can go one better with Ryan Moore aboard, O’Brien would match the 10-win record of the late Sir Henry Cecil. 

The John Gosden-trained Megallan could be a bit sneaky in this spot, since he was a troubled fourth to One Ruler in the Autumn, following a second to Godolphin’s Yibir in a salty conditions race at Newbury. The son of Kingman has pedigree appeal, with his stakes-winning and Grade 2-placed dam, Eastern Belle, being a half-sister to 2015 Epsom Derby (G1) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) hero Golden Horn.

Cobh was most recently third to New Mandate in the “Win and You’re In” Royal Lodge (G2) that was also the first stop on the European Road. The Clive Cox pupil had won his prior attempt at a mile in Salisbury’s Stonehenge on soft going, and perhaps the ease in the ground at Doncaster will help.

Another eligible to move up is Mac Swiney, who beat Wembley in a Curragh maiden in July and upset Breeders’ Cup contender Cadillac in the Aug. 22 Futurity (G2) on soft. Only eighth in the National in his latest, the Jim Bolger homebred is capable of better over further. 

Joseph O’Brien has a contender in State of Rest, a close third in the Sept. 12 Champagne (G2) here going 7 furlongs. The form of that race took a knock in the Dewhurst, however, as the top two were both unplaced. It’s also unclear whether State of Rest would move forward over an extra furlong as a son of celebrated sprinter Starspangledbanner. 

King Vega has a better chance than his maiden status implies. Trained by Andrew Balding, who’s won this race twice, the Lope de Vega colt was second to the aforementioned Yibir on debut at Sandown and immediately ventured into Group company. Unfortunately, King Vega had a checkered passage in the Solario (G3) and had to settle for second. 

Debut winner Baradar was fourth to Yibir and Megallan in that Newbury conditions event. Rebounding in style at York last out, Baradar was supplemented to this race by trainer Roger Varian. Although by sprint champion Muhaarar, he’s a half-brother to Roseman who just missed in the Queen Elizabeth II (G1) going a mile on Champions Day. 

Rounding out the field is longshot Emperor Supreme, third in maidens at Redcar and Pontefract for North Yorkshire-based trainer Adrian Nicholls.

The Vertem Futurity Trophy offers points on the 10-4-2-1 scale, applicable to the European scoreboard. Post time for this 4TH race on Doncaster’s Saturday card is 9:55 a.m. (ET), and you can watch and wager at TwinSpires.com.