Plunge winner Better Than Ready earned a shot at the Brisbane winter carnival despite giving his backers some concerns in his spectacular debut victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Better Than Ready was sensationally backed in pre-post markets around the country on Friday, firming from $21 to start $2.80 favourite in the Ramsay Health Care Handicap (1000m).
The son of boom sire More Than Ready missed the start slightly before jockey Ric McMahon hunted him to midfield where he appeared to race erratically after losing a plate.
Better Than Ready quickly gathered in the leaders in the straight and went on to score a commanding 1-1/4-length win over Charge A Fortune ($6) with Dansonate ($12) the same margin away third.
Trainer Kelly Schweida conceded he was worried when Better Than Ready was slowly away.
“I thought he was in trouble then. He’s a bit of a klutz,” Schweida said.
“I’ve always had a good opinion of this horse and I said a long time ago I think he’s probably the best horse I’ve trained.
“He’s not right in the head yet and there’s a lot of improvement to come.”
Schweida will confer with the colt’s owners before deciding his next start but clearly the youngster showed he was well up to the plum winter two-year-old races.
“I don’t think anything will really worry this horse,” Schweida said.
“I was a bit worried when he got into the straight as he didn’t know what to do.”
Better Than Ready was sold for $120,000 as a weanling before being being knocked down for $140,000 at the Sydney Easter yearling sale.
Jockey Ric McMahon never doubted Better Than Ready would win despite the early setback.
“He missed the start about the neck which put him too far back,” McMahon said.
“But he did it easy and he went to the leaders in two bounds.
“He’s got a lot of raw ability and he gives you a very good feeling.”
