Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd WIlliams has renewed his attempts to buy AJC Derby placegetter Red Ruler ahad of his final start for the season in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick tomorrow
WIlliams made a bid for Red Ruler before the Viking Ruler gelding finidhed second to fellow Kiwi Nom Du Jeu in last Saturday's Derby at Randwick.
Red Ruler and Nom Du Jeu will take on glamour mare Tuesday Joy in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes where a win for either three-year-old would futher increase their value.
Nom Du Jeu is the more valuable proposition as he is an entire son of Montjeu and will be the target of major studs on both studs of the Tasman.
However Williams, always focused on the Melbourne spring carnival, obviously views Red Ruler as a top Cups prospect.
Trainer John Sargent told NZ Racing News Williams had renewed his bid for Red Ruler after his Derby second.
"He tried to buy him before the Derby to run for him in the race, then he's come back with another offer," Sargent said.
"It's up to the owners whether to sell or not, but I hope they keep him.
"He's going to be a lovely horse next season."
Red Ruler, bought for $80,000 as a yearling, is part-owned by Sargent's brother Guy who is chairman of NZ Thoroughbred Racing.
His parners are the former chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Ron ARculli and Andrew Meehan, a Wellington businessman.
Red Ruler has four wins and three placings from nine starts including a highly impressive win in the G2 Lexus Championship Stakes in Nw Zealand in February.
Sargent said Red Ruler he expects more offers for the horse after the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
"This is a chance to prove himself at weight-for-age and I give him a big chance," said Sargent.
Red Ruler will be sent into quarantine after Saturday's race if not sold with a decision to be be made on whether he returns to New Zealand to spell or stays in in Australia until the spring.
"If he goes back home it will be to get ready for the Kelt (Capital Stakes) at Hastings," said Sargent.
"Otherwise he can stay here and get ready for Melbourne in the spring.
"We'd have to look at the Cox Plate for him if he goes well on Saturday."
Sargent is surprised ththat his Wellington Cup winner Young Centaur has not attracated offers ahead of aturday's GI $700,000 SChweppes
Sydney Cup 
.
"I thought there might be a few chasing him because he'd already qualified for the Melbourne Cup, but I haven't heard anything," said Sargent.
Young Centaur was beaten a half-head and a head in his Australian debut in the Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on April 12.
"He's flying at the moment and he didn't need to run in the Chairman's Handicap," said Sargent.
"He's in the same form as he was before he won the Wellington Cup."
