First Stakes Winner for Better Than Ready

Mark Smith - Saturday December 15

Following the win of Girls Are Ready at Canterbury on Friday, the Kelly Schweida-trained The Odyssey kept the ball rolling for Better Than Ready when he credited the Lyndhurst Stud stallion with his first stakes-winner in Saturday's Listed Phelan Ready Plate (1100m) at Doomben.

Ridden by James Orman, The Odyssey booked his ticket for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic by defeating the favourite Sun City (Zoustar) by three-quarters of a length with Krameric (Rubick) the same distance back in third.

Advertisement

Second at Doomben when making his debut back on October 6, The Odyssey broke his maiden at his next start when turning the tables on his Doomben conqueror Guntantes over 1100 metres on the same track a fortnight later.


Schweida said the son of Better Than Ready was almost certain to make another start before the Millions.

"He will need another run but it will either be in two weeks time at the Gold Coast or the week before Millions also at the Coast," Schweida told AAP.

"I want him to have a look at the track. One thing I can tell you is that he will be better for that run."

"He was full himself before today's race and he needed that run."

The Odyssey is raced by an all-women syndicate, which includes Schweida's wife Vera.

"It makes him eligible for the $500,000 bonus for horses owned by all women syndicates. If he wins I might even shout dinner," Schweida joked.

Purchased by Kelly Schweida Racing for $30,000 from the Millbrook draft from book 2 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, The Odyssey (pictured as a yearling)  is the third foal and first winner for the Snitzel mare Jessica's Hope who died earlier this year.

Her final foal is a colt by Epaulette that will be consigned by Millbrook to the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
17 Winners for Better Than Ready
It’s been an amazing season for Lyndhurst Stud’s exciting young sire Better Than Ready and it got better again on Wednesday when he posted his 17th first crop winner with a Sunshine Coast victory for talented gelding Ready to Roam.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.