Newmarket Hcp beckons Better Than Ready

Talented sprinter Better Than Ready has booked an interstate trip for the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 9.

Trainer Kelly Shweida is not underestimating the massive leap in class from winning the LR Falvelon Quality at Eagle Farm on Saturday to Australia’s premier sprint but believes his colt deserves a chance.

Better Than Ready (3c More Than Ready – Sally’s World by Agnes World) proved he’s up to top company with a record breaking win the LR Brian Crowley at Randwick last October.  “He will get 50kgs in the Newmarket which is a nice weight,” Schweida confirmed.  “He’s got a great turn of foot and the straight-six will suit.”

Better Than Ready has won 5 of his 8 starts for prizemoney of $239,000.  He cost $140,000 from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

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.

Patinack Farm will offer a Husson half-sister to Better Than Ready (Lot 310) at this year’s Inglis Easter Sale.

Schweida only plans one run in Melbourne with Better Than Ready who will then return home to prepare for the Brisbane winter carnival.   “After the Newmarket he will come home and go out for a freshen up before the winter carnival,” he said.  “I’ll put him in any race that Black Caviar’s not in.”