Important Mission (USA) dropped out of the sky for a his first Stakes victory in the Garhoud Sprint (1200m) at Meydan on Thursday evening.
The More Than Ready gelding was detached from the pack, fully 10 lengths off the pace, before descending in stunning fashion to win going clear by two lengths. “We missed the break a bit, which was not ideal because he normally races prominently, so I was forced to take my time,” jockey Royston Ffrench said.
“He had the benefit of a previous run this season which the others did not and they went very quick, so that race fitness has probably proved a key factor. We always thought he had the ability to win a good race and he now has which is great for the whole team.”
Important Mission is the 206th Stakes winner by More Than Ready. The world’s premier shuttler got him in Kentucky from Laura’s Pleasure (Cactus Ridge), a winning half-sister to Withgreatpleasure (Aqueduct Ruffian Stakes Gr.2).
Bred by Brian Kahn & More Than Ready Syndicate, he was racing second-up since a victory in the Mina Hcp at Meydan in February for owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum. He had arrived in the UAE with victories at Newcastle and Chelmsford in just five starts for William Haggas.
“I must admit after that slow start I thought he was beaten,” trainer Salem bin Ghadayer said. “But credit to Royston for not giving up and to the horse for finishing so strongly.”
More Than Ready has 8 yearlings entered from his penultimate Australian crop for the Gold Coast Magic Millions. The Sale commences on Tuesday, January 12 and one of the early first-session stars is Vinery’s chestnut filly (as agent) from Group 1 winner Allez Wonder (Lot 34).
The Toorak Hcp heroine has already thrown More Than Ready’s Group 3 winner Kooweerup for Vinery partner Steve McCann (Encompass Bloodstock). He sold her through Vinery at the 2018 Magic Millions and was rewarded with a winning $650,000 bid by Yu Long Investments.
