UNBEATEN More Than Ready 2YO colt Banaadeer is the 6/10 odds-on favourite to take out this weekend’s Group 1 South African Nursery Plate (1160m) at Turffontein.
The Australian-bred youngster has despatched his rivals in his only two starts using sustained pace and speed that caused him to run 57 and change for the five furlongs on each occasion.
Trained by Mick De Kock for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, Banaadeer’s chances of winning the One Million Rand feature soared after he drew barrier 3 in the 8-horse field.
Shadwell Estates paid $700,000 for the colt at the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The youngster is the fourth foal out of stakeswinng Redoute’s Choice mare, Provence, whose first foal (Admiration) is a Group 2 winner in Hong Kong and was runner-up in the Classic Mile there.
Provence is sister, or three-quarter-sister to two major stakeswinners namely Hong Kong Spring winner Inspiration as well as Chester Manifold Stakes winner and Cambridge Stud resident sire, Lucky Unicorn.
Banaadeer’s sire, More Than Ready is widely regarded as the pre-eminent source of superior 2YO’s on the planet having been crowned Champion Sire of Juveniles here in Australia (twice) and also in the USA where he sired the winners of both the Colts and Fillies division of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup.
The colt’s divisional winner was none other than Vinery resident Pluck who scored one of the most unlikely, nay miraculous win in Breeders’ Cup Series history.
