A tenacious winner of the Group II BRC Champagne Stakes at Doomben back in May, Winning Rupert was spelled immediately after that win and bypassed the spring carnival.
Resuming at Eagle Farm on December 3, the Bjorn Baker trained colt was explosive when winning by nearly six lengths, but this performance was even better.
He led throughout for Jeff Lloyd and left his rivals standing in the 1200 metre sprint, clearing out to win by five and a half lengths in a blistering 1:07.97 for the 1200 metres.
"He is probably going a bit faster than you realise in his races. He is a very nice horse and he is only going to get better," Lloyd said.
The time was a whisker outside Takeover Target's course record set ten years ago, stamping Winning Rupert as a serious colt that could well lay down the gauntlet to superstar three year-old sprinters Flying Artie, Astern, Extreme Choice and Star Turn.
Stable representative Clare Cunningham said Winning Rupert could certainly get even better.
"I don't think we have emptied him out yet. He has had only four starts
and I think he can do better," Cunningham said."He ran a course record at Eagle Farm and today he has got within a tick of a champion's course record here."
"It really is exciting for us to have such a promising horse."
For now, the immediate goal for Winning Rupert is the $2million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas for which he is favourite, but will be facing stiff opposition in dual Group I winner Global Glamour.
A $67,500 Magic Millions March Yearling purchase for his trainer from the Eliza Park International draft, Winning Rupert has won four of four starts earning $361,500 for his big team of owners.
Bred by Wicklow Lodge in Queensland, Winning Rupert is the best of three winners from metro winning Show a Heart mare Winaura, who comes from a family barren of Black Type in five generations.
Winaura has no yearling for the sales next year, but foaled this spring producing a colt by Sizzling.
Winning Rupert is one of 18 stakes-winners sired by Written Tycoon, who has big representation at upcoming sales with 12 youngsters at Magic Millions, six at Inglis Classic and 30 at Inglis Premier.
