Without sounding too blasé, More Than Ready (USA) and his record-breaking milestones seem to arrive in ever-decreasing time-lines around the globe.
The Vinery legend holds the world-record for individual winners (1,955) and the races they’ve won sailed through 5,900 with a treble on Thursday.
He clocked on with Kia Ora homebred Mezinjit (5,899) at Scone and followed up with Grand Pope (5,900) at Pakenham before Crowded Trade (5,901) scored on debut for Chad Brown at Aqueduct.
Grand Pope impressed with a last-to-first burst to defeat Zoutellus (Zoustar) and I Am Mamwaazel (I Am Invincible) in the Sportsbet Maiden (1200m). “I’ve always had a big opinion of him,” jockey Rhys McLeod said. “He was racing first-up at an unsuitable trip and I wasn’t sure whether he could peel back the margin at the top of the straight.
“But I knew I had plenty underneath me and gee he was good late. He really hit the line and will keep winning in higher grades over longer distances. He’s a nice horse.”
Grand Pope was a $72,500 buy from Vinery at the 2019 Inglis Classic Sale for agent Jeff Gordon acting on behalf of trainer Nick Ryan. He’s the first foal of Vinery homebred Joyful Journey (Shamardal) who won at Warwick Farm for Team Hawkes.
More Than Ready has 7 yearlings entered for this year’s Inglis Classic starting this Sunday, February 7. Vinery has two colts and a filly and they began inspections at Riverside Stables on Monday morning.
The colt out of Fastnet Rock mare Mineko (Lot 149) is a full-brother to Peak To Peak who was beaten a nose at Happy Valley last Wednesday. He is trained by Frankie Lor and won’t be long breaking through after being checked and then shifting ground when put under pressure by Joao Moreira.
“Our colt is a good mover with plenty of strength and presence about him,” Vinery bloodstock manager Adam White said. “Mineko was stakes performed and she was a talented mare on the track.”
More Than Ready averaged $232,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions and he also topped the Inglis January (Late) Online Sale last week with Saffiano. A last-start Kembla Grange winner, he is also eligible for Hong Kong and was purchased by Hunter Valley Bloodstock for $290,000.
Hoofnote: Vinery graduate Prompt Prodigy made it 5,902 wins for More Than Ready at Newcastle on Saturday.
