Epic Proportions Adds to Better Than Ready's Growing Tally

Mark Smith - Wednesday June 7

Lyndhurst Stud stallion Better Than Ready remains on track to defend his leading sire of 2yo winners title. Epic Proportions took Better Than Ready’s tally to sixteen when making a winning debut in the Palace Pier @ Darley 2yo and 3yo Maiden Plate (1100m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Ridden by Dylan Gibbons for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Epic Proportions went straight to the front and never looked back in defeating the Zoustar debutant Zousprince by two lengths with the Pride Of Dubai debutant King Of Dubai a half-length back in third.

Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said there is plenty left in the tank.

“A great debut. He trialled very well and has plenty of early speed, which is a big help around here,” Gerard-Dubord said.

‘He is a straightforward colt, and the owners have been patient. It’s good to get a win for Rob Slade and his syndications.

“He will improve as he has had only one trial. He has a good mind, which will take him a long way.”

 Ciaron Maher Bloodstock purchased Epic Proportions for $70,000 from the Yarramalong Park draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Advertisement

Epic Proportions yearling

Epic Proportions is the fifth winner for the Commands mare Commanding Epic who remained faithful to Better Than Ready for her first seven seasons.

A half-sister to stakes-placed She’s Miss Divine (Show a Heart) from the family of Sword of State, Angst and Sharp,  Commanding Epic had a switch up last season when covered by Brutal after foaling a sister to  Epic Proportions.

Better Than Ready is having his own personal battle against fellow Queenslander Spirit of Boom, who has 14 2yo winners, followed by Russian Revolution (13), Capitalist (13), Snitzel (12), Dundeel (12), and I Am Invincible (12).

With his headliner Skirt The Law winning the Magic Millions 2yo Classic, Better Than Ready holds the third spot for the Champion 2yo Sire, which Snitzel currently leads from Exceed And Excel. 

Better Than Ready has the exciting Chrysaor and the underrated Trifling running for him in Saturday’s $1million Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

Advertisment

Race Result - Palace Pier @ Darley Mdn Plate 1100m

Canterbury Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:05.36
1
Epic Proportions
- 2c Better Than Ready (AUS) x Commanding Epic (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 54.5
2
2.0
Zouprince
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Moonlight Waltz (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Reece Jones 56
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $250,000
Seller: Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW
Buyer: Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock
3
2.5
King Of Dubai
- 2g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Amber's Crown (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
4
3.4
Sumo Star
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Sport Chic (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tom Sherry 58.5
5
5.5
Balkans
- 2c Lonhro (AUS) x Ottoman (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: S Clipperton 56
6
5.7
Pink Shalala
- 2g Shalaa (IRE) x I Am Serious (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
More Reading...
$1.1million Frankel Colt Sold by Newgate
Juddmonte Farms based champion sire Frankel has exerted a powerful presence on the Magic Millions this year and had a second million dollar yearling on Thursday when the Newgate Farm consigned colt from Miss Alacrity (USA) sold for $1.1million.
People at Magic Millions - Day Three
Day Three at Magic Millions and Maree wasn’t finding it difficult to find the love for Frankel, while there’s a great story about a $250,000 sale from a $6,000 service fee with Ben Lucas.
$1.6Million for Sister to Caffe Florian
Three year-old Snitzel filly Caffe Florian has been one of the finds of the summer in Sydney reeling off three successive wins culminating with a Black Type success in the Listed Gosford Guineas and her full sister lit up the Magic Millions sale ring on Thursday selling for $1.6million.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Three heats won by juveniles at Randwick on Thursday morning and two of those winners were unraced fillies by Home Affairs and Farnan with a half-sister to the latter being sold at Magic Millions on Tuesday and might just be a saleyard gift!
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 15
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Home Affairs Filly Dazzling on Debut for Lindsay Park
The Lindsay Park team have had a week far beyond what we would call tough, but a good horse is often the best tonic and Home Affairs filly Jacaranda scored a dazzling six length debut win at Seymour on Thursday.
Hot Lots Day Four – Magic Millions
After three days of Book 1 selling, Friday’s super session sees 280 lots catalogued in what will surely be a bumper day in the ring.
Star Colt and Star Filly Highlight Snitzel Day at Magic Millions
It was Snitzel day at the Magic Millions on Thursday with Arrowfield Stud’s much missed champion sire, who died last year, producing the top selling filly and colt of the day.
First Stakes Victory For Better Then Ready’s Epic Proportions
With victories in NSW, Victoria and Queensland since July, Ciaron Maher’s Better Than Ready gelding Epic Proportions has produced some strong efforts in his last four starts in the sunshine state, but none more so than his effort of Saturday to win the Listed BRC Keith Noud Stakes (1200m) when leading throughout. 
Anamoe Colt Bred on Magic Cross Sells for $850,000 to MyRacehorse
The first yearlings by Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe have been in hot demand this week at Magic Millions with two fillies selling for $800,000 and on Thursday that mark was surpassed by a gorgeous colt that made $850,000.