By Adam Hamilton
FORMER Kiwi pacer Jason Rulz is primed to stamp himself as a major Inter Dominion contender when he steps out at Pinjarra on Monday.
The gelding hasn’t raced since a seventh at Oamaru on September 13, but new trainer Michael “Mouse” Brennan is very upbeat.
“He’s ready to go,” he said. “I’ve got Billies A Star as a benchmark and the way Jason Rulz is working tells me he’ll go really well on Monday and be very competitive in the Inters.”
Jason Rulz is one of a handful of Inter Dominion contenders stepping-out in the $30,000 Dona Randall Memorial Cup (2636m) at Pinjarra on Monday.
Under the conditions of the race, those horses – Norvic Nightowl, For A Reason, Jason Rulz, Machtu, The Bucket List and Dynamite Dude – all come from the maximum 10m backmark.
“It’s a strong race and a really good test to see where he’s at, but everything at home tells me he’s ready to run a great race,” Brennan said.
“He does everything so easily and just feels like a really, really good horse.”
Jason Rulz has been backed into $18 on the Aussie TAB to win the Inter Dominion final where Lennytheshark is the $4 favourite.
The other fascinating runner in Monday’s race will be former Victoria Cup winner For A Reason, who makes his debut for new trainer Greg Bond.
For A Reason hasn’t won in 14 starts since snaring the Shirley Turnbull Cup at Bathurst on Boxing Day last years.
Former trainers Luke and Belinda McCarthy sent him to their good friend, Bond, to try and rejuvenate For A Reason.
The entire hasn’t raced since a sixth at Menangle on September 18.
Back to Brennan’s stable and he confirmed the emerging Billies A Star would go to next Saturday night’s Bunbury Cup.
“He went through the grades really quickly and had a bit of racing to climb the Inter Dominion rankings, so I’ve freshened him up,” he said.
“He’s had a really good foundation of racing and is right where I want him going into the series.
“Bunbury will be a good race for him, to top him off for the start of the Inter.
“I’m lucky to be going into a very open and even Inter Dominion with two horses are think are genuine winning chances.”
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