Drier’s charge looks ready to rule
Priceless Ruler will be having his third run after a decent rest and has a lot going for him in Race 5 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m on the turf track.
Trainer Dennis Drier had his charge in Cape Town over the summer where he contested a couple of features and while he failed to lift a trophy, Priceless Ruler did win a Pinnacle Stakes and put up some excellent performances.
His first outing was in the Non-Black Type Cape Mile where he finished a 2.30-length third behind Sun Met winner One World.
On his return to KwaZuluNatal, Drier ran him in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes over this course and distance, and at weight-for-age terms, he belied his merit rating and 40-1 price to finish a 3.10-length fourth behind Bunker Hunt.
His next run, which was on the belated Durban July day, was in the Listed Thukela Handicap over 1600m where he finished third, beaten just 0.60 lengths by Infamous Fox.
That was great effort, but there is no doubt 1400m is his best trip. The five-year-old Pathfork gelding has run six times over the distance for two wins, a second, a third and a fourth place.
Priceless Ruler looks well positioned to win this and the only concern is that he is drawn slightly wide at No 8. But there are only 10 runners, Sean Veale knows the gelding well enough and he should be able to get his mount well positioned.
He could be a banker in the carryover Pick 6 pool but for those who want to look beyond him, then consider Solid Gold and Silent Crusade.