Trainer Kelly Schweida won’t be persuaded to set Better Than Ready for the Brisbane’s Summer Triple Crown despite his star sprinter’s victory under 60.5kg on Saturday.
Schweida has Group 1 targets in Sydney and Melbourne lined up for the More Than Ready stallion after his narrow victory in the LR Keith Noud Hcp (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
Aided by a perfect Ric McMahon ride under the weight, Better Than Ready was able to maintain his superb first-up record and collect his third Stakes win in the process.
While Better Than Ready raced close to the speed, Schweida believes he’ll be more effective ridden further back in a race.
“It’s probably not the best way to ride him having him up close and it was his class that got him home today,” he said.
Better Than Ready (4h More Than Ready – Sally’s World by Agnes World) claimed his first black-type in the LR Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick in October 2012 and Schweida is already planning another trip south for the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield in February.
“There’s a Group 1 race every week somewhere in Australia from February to June,” Schweida said. “He will be very valuable if he can win a Group 1”.
“He’s a big eater and, being a stallion, I didn’t want him to get away on me. Saturday’s race kept him up to the mark before we take him to Melbourne. He hasn’t peaked yet.
“He will be down in the weights in the Oakleigh Plate which will give him the chance to show that good turn of foot.”
Better Than Ready was a $140,000 buy from Newgate Farm at the 2011 Inglis Easter yearling sale and had now won 8 times in 15 starts for earnings of $477,000.
Vinery champion More Than Ready got him from Sally’s World, a winning half-sister to Raheen Stud sire Publishing (Testa Rossa). Second dam Sally Magic (Keltrice) won at Randwick and was runner-up to Testa Rossa in the 1999 Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
