The conditions were not in Steady Ready’s favour, but the father and daughter training team of Tony and Maddysen Sears had the confidence in their enduring trier to win their second King Of The Mountain feature at Toowoomba and for the gelding victory at his third attempt.
Steady Ready finished second to stablemate Yellow Brick in the inaugural running on New Year’s Eve in 2022, then was second to Rothfire on New Year’s Day in 2024 before snaring the $750,000 1200-metre event in 2025.
Though well in the market, the Sears’ took their own punt with the engagement of non-claiming apprentice Cody Collis in the no claims event where other senior riders could have been at their disposal.
“He’s the King and it feels just as good as it did the first time,” Maddy Sears said.
“I can’t believe he’s won but I can believe he’s won because he’s a class horse.
“He’s super talented and he deserves this after running third in the first year and second last year.
“He kicked clear early and I thought this was where he was going to be a bit vulnerable but he’s tough and Cody rated him very well. I’m so excited.”
Steady Ready ($5) poured on the pressure on the home turn in the wet and foggy conditions and was at risk of being run down late by Russian Alliance ($19) and Millane ($4.80) but held on by a half-neck margin on the line.
“The wet track did worry me a bit but I can’t take much credit for this,” Sears added.
“He’s up here with Dad and I’m so proud of the horse. He’s been so underrated and he’s shown a lot.”
The training pair’s confidence in Cody Collis was not lost on the winning rider.
“There is no better feeling especially when you could be looked over,” Collis said.
“For them to keep me on even though I don’t claim, and with any other Brisbane jockey in the room, there is nothing like that loyalty and I’ll never forget a win like that.
“That horse is a freak of an animal.
“He just keeps going and tries his heart out. It is a great feeling to have underneath you.”
Steady Ready will now be pointed to a Queensland Winter Carnival campaign.
Bookmakers favourite Cifrado ($3.40) finished 25-lengths from the winner with connections reporting that the four-year-old failed to handle the heavy track.
