Trainer Ciaron Maher tried to keep a lid on his reaction to Kooweerup’s last-to-first victory in the Breeders’ Stakes Gr.3 at Morphettville on Saturday.

Maher travelled to Adelaide with the More Than Ready filly who looks an outstanding classic prospect for Yulong Investments owner Zhang Yuesheng.  She was much too strong at the end of 1200m to win by two lengths from Lindsay Park colt Memphis Rock (Fastnet Rock).

“She’s a natural and she is going places,” Maher beamed as he waited to meet the winner in the enclosure.  “She’s raw and is still furnishing.  Mark Zahra has done a lot of work teaching her how to relax and she got into a lovely rhythm today.  They ran along and it was exciting to see her put them away.”

Maher and co-trainer David Eustace are looking to towards the Thousand Guineas Gr.1 at Caulfield in October.  “Mr Zhang has been a great supporter of the stable and this win has been a team effort.  She will go for a spell now and come back for the fillies’ classics in the spring.”

Kooweerup becomes More Than Ready’s 193rd individual stakes winner and she looked the part from the outset having made $650,000 at the 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

She was sold by Vinery and is the latest black-type winner for the renowned More Than Ready – Danehill-line cross.  Her dam Allez Wonder (Redoute’s Choice) was top-drawer winning the 2009 edition of the Toorak Hcp Gr.1 for Bart Cummings.

Maher and Eustace will have plenty of firepower next season with a 3yo division that also includes Dubious (ATC Breeders’ Plate Gr.2), Bella Rosa (VRC Ottawa Stakes Gr.3) and Loving Gaby (MRC Chairman’s Stakes Gr.3)

Kooweerup measures up in that quartet and she’s not the only More Than Ready filly being set for the Melbourne spring carnival.  Mick Price has already sent his 2yo filly Ready Set Sail to the paddock for the classics.

Ready Set Sail won the TBV Stakes Gr.3 at Flemington in March in a split-decision with Goldolphin filly Flit (Medaglia D’Oro).  “She’s a beautiful scopey, clean-winded filly,” Price said.  “We will be back in the spring for the Thousand Guineas.”