SYDNEY – MORE Than Ready’s chances of winning a third consecutive Golden Slipper were given an enormous boost on Saturday after a slashing win by Brightexpectations in the Group Two STC Darley Stakes (1200m).
Brightexpectations’ trainer, Gai Waterhouse, hailed the colt’s performance as “the most brilliant trial for the Golden Slipper you will ever see”.
Starting as $2.60 favourite, Brightexpectations bounced to the lead and never gave his rivals a look-in, coasting home ahead of Blackball and the previously unbeaten Hinchinbrook.
“Tell me why he won’t win the Golden Slipper,” Waterhouse asked.
“That was the most brilliant trial for the Golden Slipper that you will ever see.
“He’s still improving; why won’t he do it again next Saturday?”
Brightexpecations’s stunning win was some compensation for the dramatic defeat of Slipper hopeful More Strawberries (also by More Than Ready) who bombed the start yet still nearly won the Group Two STC Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
More Than Ready ended the day on a high note with the win of fleet-footed mare Patronyme who added the Group Three STC Birthday Card Stakes to her imposing record.
