MORE THAN READY’S eight-time Group One winning mare More Joyous cruised to an easy barrier trial win at Randwick yesterday in her first public appearance since her triumphant Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Jockey Nash Rawiller could not hide his delight after the sparkling performance by Sydney’s pin-up horse at Randwick on Monday.
“I think it’s the best she has trialled first time out for as long as I can remember… I’m absolutely delighted,” Rawiller said.
It was the six-year-olds return after her unbeaten Autumn campaign when she won all her four starts: the Canterbury Stakes (Gr 2, 1300m) and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m) at Rosehill, followed by the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Randwick.
In yesterday’s trial, More Joyous raced just in behind the leaders before working her way to the front in the straight. She went on to defeat the Chris Waller-trained Dystopia (Redoute’s Choice) by one and a half lengths, with the dual Group One winner Secret Admirer (Dubawi) closing for third, another long neck away.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse says More Joyous is likely to resume in a couple of weeks but she will speak with owner John Singleton and his racing manager Duncan Grimley before deciding on a first-up Sydney assignment.
More Joyous’ main spring target is the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) at Moonee Valley on 27 October.
