Jason Rulz provided Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope with one of their biggest wins in harness racing in the group 2 Pelorus Classic in Blenheim yesterday.
The Courage Under Fire 4yr-old capitalised on a good trip in the 2300m mobile event for 4- and 5yr-old pacers, downing the game Christen Me after sitting on his back throughout.
Major Mark led the field early before handing up to Ohoka Texas with a lap to go. Christen Me was forced to sit without cover for the last mile and - while his winning streak of eight races came to an end - he would have lost no admirers with his run in a race that produced a 1.55.5 mile rate.
Major Mark came off Ohoka Texas's back to run third, as the first two home broke 55 seconds for the last 800m.
Jason Rulz is the last foal of the Holmes Hanover mare Rule Zona, who died in 2010, having left Artistic Rulz and Victoria Rulz (four wins each) and Art Rulz, who won one from nine starts in 2007 before being sold to the United States.
Ricky May, a regular pilot for the Hopes' horses, steered Jason Rulz to victory -
the gelding's fourth win in a row. May won the same race in 2008 with the Ben Waldron-trained Mr Molly.
The Hopes also reached the heights of group 2 glory when Gaylee's Delight won the 2012 Southland Oaks.
The win now gives the Hopes the option of a start in the $A200,000 Chariots Of Fire in Menangle on March 3, as Jason Rulz has earned an automatic qualifying spot for the Australian 4yr-old feature.
