Good times for Stefan Vahala

The good times look set to continue for trainer Stefan Vahala-both short and long term.

The 36-year-old has a small team of horses in work, but has hit a purple patch of form in recent weeks.

Stefan Vahala has trained four winners from his past five runners with former Kiwi galloper Tuscan Holiday his latest success story.

Sent out a $34 chance at Northam on Thursday, Tuscan Holiday came from last to post his first WA win at his second start.

Vahala has top claims of adding to his strike rate when he saddles Universal Pleasure in the Quayclean Handicap (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday.

The six-year-mare was a winner on her return two weeks ago and Vahala expects her to strip fitter and improve even further second up.

“She has come through her run amazing and is in very good order,” Vahala told Tabradio.

“We sort of looked after her for her first up run and she was a bit underdone.

“You never know how they are going to come back under race conditions but she shone.

“The beauty about her is she tries her guts out.

“Unless something happens in the run she always runs in the top three.`

“I’m expecting a fair bit of improvement to come this week.”

Universal Pleasure maps to get an ideal run from barrier five for jockey, Steven Parnham.

At $4.20, she sits behind Tabtouch favorite, Queen Of Soul ($3.90).

Meanwhile, Vahala’s stable flag bearer Aztec Ruler is back in work after an undefeated cameo maiden campaign.

The Universal Ruler three-year-old underlined black type potential in July with two exciting wins from as many starts.

“He came back into the stables this week,” Vahala said.

“At the minute, the aim is the Belgravia.

“Fingers crossed nothing happens between now and then and we can get there.

“We’ll just see how he measures up because that’s where the big ones are running.

“You have Amelia’s Jewel and Rumour Says for Luke Fernie which looks pretty smart as well.

“There are a lot of good three-year-olds and I could rattle off a fair few.”

The Listed Belgravia Stakes is run over 1200m at Ascot on October 22.