MORE THAN READY sired his 70th individual stakeswinner and this afternoon when Perth filly New Image came from behind to win the WATC Belmont Oaks (2200m) across in Perth.

One day after U.K More Than Ready galloper Traffic Guard picked up blacktype over 2000m in the Sandown Gala Stakes, homebred 3yo filly New Image went even better in the Perth Classic.  New Image is one of nine Aystralian stakeswinners for More Than Ready this season alongside the likes of More Joyous, More Than Great and crack two-year-olds Brightexpectations and More Strawberries who was placed in the 2010 Golden Slipper Stakes.

New Image is a daughter of owner/breeder Bob Peters 1999 G2 WATC Oaks (2400m) winning filly Reflected Image (by Bluebird) who hails from a solid US black-type family.
Today’s victory marks a triumphant return to form the Simon Barrass trained More Than Ready 3YO after her last start eighth in the blacktype Belmont Guineas behind Testa Rossa gelding Mighty Rossa.

Peters filly is the third new stakeswinner for More Than Ready in the space of just three weeks and highlights the stallions versatility.  A dual Champion 2yo sire, More Than Ready is reknowned for producing tough and talented 2yo’s (12 winners in 2010) yet as we’ve seen time and again, More Than Ready is just as adept at siring Stakes winner over all distances and on all track conditions.

Apart from two Golden Slipper winners, More Than Ready’s has sired two Gr.1 winners at a mile, a Derby winner, as well as multiple Stakes winners at 2000m or beyond (Yallingup, Ready to Lift et al).  New Image is the latest to join the ever growing list of versatile Stakes winners by More Than Ready and comes one weekend after the Vinery stallion successfully posted winners on four continents and seven countries on the same day.

Stakes winner number 71 may not be far away with More Than Ready runners continuing to come to the fore around the world.  U.K galloper Traffic Guard (More Than Ready x Street Scene 2004) finished third over 2000m in the Sandown Gala Stakes yesterday once again highlighting the versatility of this Champion son of Southern Halo.