Aztec Ruler took another shot at Gold Rush glory | Just horse racing

The Stefan Vahala-trained Aztec Ruler will take on the $1.5 million Gold Rush at Ascot for the second time on Saturday.

The locally trained Universal Ruler gelding finished seventh in last year’s Gold Rush, finishing just 2.32 lengths behind winner Western Empire when chasing from a very wide barrier at odds of $61.

This year’s number four barrier draw already puts him in a better position to take on his challenge than last year, but the oddsmakers aren’t convinced it will be enough to change his fortunes in this highly competitive challenge with Aztec Ruler again at big odds… this time at $51.

“To be honest, I think he’s doing better than last year,” Vahala told Racing WA. “Last year he ran similar races, but with much less weight. Now he carries weight and delivers.”

Aztec Ruler warmed up well for Saturday’s task as he finished second behind Cosmic Crusader at the Carbine Club on the Gold Rush circuit and distance, although he was beaten by 2.59 lengths.

“We are happy with him. He never has a bad race, so he will be there. He is about in top condition now. We just need a bit of luck to find our way.”

An added bonus to Aztec Ruler’s chances is the fact that Chris Parnham, who has partnered the six-year-old in six of his seven career victories to date, has opted to take the ride.

“I was quite entranced,” Vahala said. ‘I was driving home from Bunbury on Sunday when I got the message that Chris would be staying with us.

“He rides him great… gets along really well with him… and yeah, I think he just gives us every opportunity.”

Aztec Rulers is the $51 outside chance with Swiftbet to win The Gold Rush.

The chances of a gold rush

The Gold Rush (G3)
Ascot | 1400 | Good 4

December 13, 2025
8:00 PM

1. Viaduct (8)

J: Jos Parr
T: Bjorn Bakker

2. Western Empire (13)

J: Billy Egan
T: Grant and Alana Williams

3. Joker’s grin (10)

J: Shaun O’Donnell
T: Bernie Miller

4. Beautiful Andy (12)

J: Brad Parnham
T: Stephan Molenaar

5. Comfort me (6)

J: Holly Watson
T: Rhys Radford

6. Printer (11)

J: Steven Parnham
T: Neville Parnham

7. Iowna Merc (3)

J: Joey Azzopardi
T: Bjorn Bakker

8. Oscar’s fortune (1)

J: Alan Kennedy
T: Dion Luciani

9. Rey magnerio (5)

J: William Pike
T: Robbie Griffiths

10. Cosmic Crusader (9)

J: Clint Johnston-Porter
T: Michael Grantham

11. Tie them up (7)

J: Shaun McGruddy
T: Steve Wolfe

12. Aztec ruler (4)

J: Chris Parnham
T: Stefan Vahala

13. Super make-up (2)

J: Lucy Fiore
T: Daniel Morton

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