CHAMPION stallion More Than Ready is likely to have at least two irons in the fire in an effort to win him his first Group 1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in 2012.
The Vinery Stud resident has already sired two winners each of the Golden Slipper and Magic Millions and despite coming close with Perfectly Ready in 2005, the Blue Diamond has so far eluded the world’s undisputed best source of 2YOs.
More Than Ready’s main two protagonists for the $1 million feature at this stage appear to be the MRC Maribyrnong Trial (1000m) winner Cambiaso (Danny O’Brien) and Mick Price’s impressive debutant winner, Samaready who is part-owned by Vinery Stud.
“I think there are areas of improvement to come in this filly,” Price noted.
“I said to the guys that if we can run in the first three it puts her on the right path to go and be a Blue Diamond filly because it’s a bit difficult to do those races at your first preparation, so I was really happy.
“We backed off her in the last week leading into the race to see if we could get a good, fresh run out of her and usually when I do that they can be a bit soft, but she had a good kick over the last 200m and I think that is indicative of her ability.
“I remember my yearling comments on her and that was that she would be a natural two-year-old.”
And while obviously Samaready and Perfectly Ready are different sexes, Price can point to several crucial areas of resemblance between the pair.
“They are both neat, strong shoulder, strong hind-quarter, sprinting, well-muscled horses. Not overly big but knitted up in the knees – and a magnificent temperament on them,” he said.
“I have to say that about More Than Ready, he can put an intelligent temperament into his stock.
“Samaready went to Flemington for the first time on Saturday and cantered down the straight like one of clerks of the course, and was beautiful behind the gates.
“She was a little bit field shy when horses came across her at the 300m, but she just basically squirted off and finished the race off when asked – her temperament was just beautiful.”
More Than Ready has sired 4 winners so far this season beginning with the aforementioned Cambiaso and Samaready as well as the American-bred Juliet’s Princess and John O’Shea’s magnificent colt, Faustus.
Meanwhile, Nathan Tinkler appears to have a high class filly on his hands in the shape of the stakes placed Dysfunction who, like Golden Slipper hero, is out of a Flying Spur mare.
FOOTNOTE: MORE Than Ready will be represented by 31 lots at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale which is due to start on January 11.
Among them are foals out of Regimental Gal, Hasna, Aqua D’Amore, Cheeky Choice, Danni Martine, Portland Singa, Sugar Babe, So Gorgeous and Universal Queen.
