FORMER star two and three-year-old filly High Flying Ruler spent over a year in the harness wilderness as far as good form is concerned but it looks as if she might be back on track following her impressive victory in Launceston last Sunday night.
High Flying Ruler won six of her first seven starts and ended her three-year-old season by being named the state’s best in that age and sex category.
She was prepared by Rohan Hillier at two and three but the filly was lost to his stable and only returned five months ago.
To say this latest win was overdue would be an understatement but Hillier believes the now five-year-old mare is capable of more wins.
“I’m not saying she can get back to the form that she had as a three-year-old but it was nice to see her deliver the goods like she did on Sunday night,” Hillier said.
“We are getting there with her but I don’t think she will ever be the same.”
Hillier had High Flying Ruler settled near the rear of the field in last Sunday night’s assignment but when the pace slackened noticeably he opted to send her around the field and found the front with a lap to go.
“It wasn’t my plan to drive her like that but I thought I had to make an early move when the pace up front slackened right off,” he said.
Once High Flying Ruler found the lead Hillier took hold but ensured a solid tempo and the mare had all the answers in the home straight going on to score by nine metres from New Interest and Coruba Run.
High Flying Ruler is owned and raced by her breeders Larry and Elizabeth Nichols. She has won seven and been placed three times from only 17 starts for just over $55,000 in stakes.