Aided by both an inspired Ryan Maloney ride and the step up to 1200m, BETTERLETMEDANCE broke her maiden with a midweek metropolitan victory at Doomben.
The Better Than Ready filly went one better than at her last start – a fast-finishing second at the Sunshine Coast – thanks to Maloney’s skill in the saddle.
The pair flowed into the race from barrier four, with Maloney saving ground on the rail before peeling the 3YO to the outside upon straightening.
The race favourite laid down a challenge in the straight, but BETTERLETMEDANCE gradually gained the upper hand and pulled away late to score by just under a length.
“I love Better Than Ready as a stallion and I also love Ryan Maloney as a jockey,” said David post-race.
“He’s a quick thinker and he rode her terrifically. He saw the speed was on, so he just let the leaders go and got her travelling. She hadn’t done too much at the 500-metre mark, and once he had pulled her out the rest was history.
“She wasn’t under much pressure, it was a great experience for the horse and for the owners, and she looks a very nice filly in the making.”
The $37,750 winner’s cheque included a very handy QTIS bonus, many congratulations to her big group of owners: Viva Racing, Mr E K Duryea, Mr B Heffernan, Mr B Cardillo, Mr S Burow, Mr J Palmer, Mr R Austin, Mr J J Cook, Mr J Arthur, Goldie Dreamers, B B Tavern Syndicate, Mr D M Keough, Mr D Clark, Mrs L M Lees, Mr F D Kutra, Distinguished Red, Mr DD Singh, BAK Triple H Racing, Mr M Nutt and High Calibre Racing.
Comments