Stefan Vahala is feeling a whole better about Aztec Ruler’s prospects going into Sunday’s Tabtouch Group 3 Northam Stakes (1300m) than he was two weeks ago ahead of The Joey (1200m) at Ascot.

From early on, trainer Stefan Vahala has tagged Aztec Ruler as a stakes horse in the making.

Stefan Vahala has played the long game with Aztec Ruler; most of it planned, some of it not.

Punters have honed in on Aztec Ruler to take out the Tabtouch Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday and trainer Stefan Vahala is confident his talented gelding can continue his winning ways.

Trainer Stefan Vahala has all but ruled out the Ascot Pinnacles carnival for Aztec Ruler, deciding to extend the quality four-year-old’s winter campaign instead.