SUPER sire More Than Ready’s chances of snaring his third Magic Millions 2YO Classic received a boost when classy colt Regimental Pride took out the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
It was the David Payne-trained galloper’s second win in three career starts following on from his Breeders’ Plate debut back in October.
Payne is plotting an unusual path towards next month’s $2m feature with plans to back-up in Thursday’s $200,000 Wyong M.M. Classic (1200m).
Payne also indicated that the colt could well carry an important gear change on the day to focus his attention on the task.
“I might throw a set of blinkers on him for Thursday. I will wait and see,” Payne said.
“He’s still running a bit in patches but he’ll switch on because he has the ability.
“That was just a gallop for him (today).”
Regimental Pride is striving to join his famous dam, Regimental Gal, on the Magic Millions honour roll having taken out the Classic in 2003 before going onto add two Group 1 races later in life.
More Than Ready meanwhile has himself sired two Magic Millions winners so far beginning with South Australian filly Augusta Proud in 2008 followed by Phelan Ready 12 months after.
Phelan Ready went on to add the Golden Slipper, a feat which has only been done one other time via Dance Hero in 2004.
