Classy Kiwi stayer Red Ruler will start his preparation for the Sydney autumn carnival at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Red Ruler will resume in the in the GI $200,000 Waikato Draught Sprint.

He will be ridden for the first time by Craig Grylls when he joins his John Sargent-trained stablemate Ruud Van Slaats in the weight-for-age 1400m event.

Red Ruler will be having his first start since finishing third in the Gr II $350,000 Sandown Classic in Melbourne on November 15.

Sargent said his major autumn target is the $2.25 million BMW at Rosehill on April 4.

"He's being set for the BMW and will need the run on Saturday," said Sargent.

"He was in quarantine for five weeks after running in Melbourne then had some time on the water walker at Russell and Robyn Rogers' place.

"He's had a couple of gallops but even so he'll definitely improve a lot with the first run.

"He could run again at Matamata over ground before he goes to Sydney.

Red Ruler had three starts in Sydney last year and finished second to fellow Kiwi galloper Nom du Jeu in the AJC Derby.

His spring campaign in Melbourne saw him finishsixth in the Caulfield Cup and seventh in the MacKinnon Stakes before chasing Zipping and Duoro Valley home in the Sandown Classic.

Red Ruler's last win was almost 12 months ago in the G2 Championship Stakes at Ellerslie and since then he has raced 11 times for five placings including a second to Princess Coup in the G1 Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings.