John Sargent warming to the idea of starting French Ruler in Saturday’s Group 3 Spring Stakes

Lightly-raced gelding French Ruler has never finished worse than second in three starts and could get his chance in stakes class at Newcastle on Saturday.

Trainer John Sargent is likely to target the Group 3 Spring Stakes with French Ruler. Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

Punters could be on the money with emerging talent French Ruler in Saturday’s Group 3 $250,000 Spring Stakes (1600m) as trainer John Sargent warms to the idea of rolling the dice at Newcastle.

French Ruler has been the subject of a sustained betting move since TAB markets opened for the Spring Stakes on Wednesday, shortening from an opening price of $26 into $9 by late afternoon.

Sargent had pondered taking French Ruler interstate but has elected to keep his three-year-old closer to home as he prepares for his fourth career start and a potential stakes tilt.

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“We plan to accept at Kembla with him for Saturday but with Nash (Rawiller) on board and a good draw, the Spring Stakes could be a good option for him,” Sargent said.

“I was looking to go down to the Blue Sapphire in Melbourne as well but the nominations for this weren’t overly strong with one or two of them rated a bit higher.

“It’s good money and it’s not going to be overtaxing for him so it could be a good chance to roll the dice.”

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Sargent will make a final call after Kembla acceptances on Thursday with French Ruler, who has never finished worse than second in three starts over two preparations.

The son of Nicconi was a determined first-up winner at Newcastle before surging home from near last to nab second in a Midway event behind Mad Darcey on October 26.

He will have to jump up a further 400m in distance in the Spring Stakes but Sargent insists it shouldn’t be an issue.

Nash Rawiller will ride French Ruler. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

“He is jumping from 1200m to a mile but he’s fit enough and has done enough work at home,” Sargent said.

“I think he is a nice horse. He ran really well last start and I am really happy with him.”

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Sargent could be in for a massive day at Newcastle with Harlow Mist ($3.90) among the leading contenders in the Bella Group Midway Benchmark Handicap 72 (1600m) after a luckless run in the Four Pillars last time out.

Glad You Think So ($4.40 favourite) is the horse to beat in the Alf Kneebone Trans Tasman Benchmark 88 (1850m) while Perfect Thought ($31) will return in the final event on the program.

Sargent is back in Sydney after a pair of Group 1 placings in Melbourne over the Cup carnival with China Sea finishing third in the Victoria Derby and Powers Of Opal a runner-up in the Victoria Oaks.

The talented three-year-olds, as well as Oaks runner Inevitable Truth, have all returned to Sydney and will now enjoy spells before targeting Sydney’s autumn carnival riches.

Originally published as John Sargent warming to the idea of starting French Ruler in Saturday’s Group 3 Spring Stakes