The celebrated More Than Ready – Danehill cross has played another black-type hand with Prized Icon in the LR Fernhill Hcp (1600m) at Randwick.
The James Cummings trained colt is the 156th stakes winner by More Than Ready and his dam Tropical Affair was a Danehill flyer winning the 1997 Maribyrnong Trial for Lee Freedman and Gooree Stud.
Prized Icon was sent out favourite in the Fernhill and parked outside the leader before responding to score by two-lengths. “I trained him to peak today,” Cummings said. “It’s great to kick a goal like that against some of the best two-year-old trainers in the country.
“My grandfather showed me how to win one a few years ago with Kudakulari.”
Prized Icon had been placed in the LR Lonhro Stakes, G3 Black Opal and G3 Baillieu Hcp before the breakthrough on Saturday. “I will be pretty reserved with my judgment about whether we back up or send him out,” Cummings continued. “I’ve got a race in mind next season.”
More Than Ready has sired Group 1 winners Dreamaway, Perfectly Ready, Benicio and More Than Sacred from Danehill mares.
The Vinery Champion had 11 yearlings sell at Inglis Easter and they found new homes at an average of $278,636.
