Winner Number 23 for Better Than Ready

Mark Smith - Sunday July 28

After the Tony Sears-trained filly Better Thinking opened her account with a three and a half-length romp when on debut at Toowoomba on Saturday to make it winner number 22 for Better Than Ready, the high-flying Lyndhurst Stud stallion took his tally to 23 on Sunday but this one came with a bit of a difference.

Such a dominant force in his home state, Better Than Ready put one on the board in Victoria when the Yu Long Investments debutant Green Rules justified the punter's faith when she led every step of the way in a 2-Y-O Maiden over 1100 metres at Bendigo.

Ridden by James Winks for trainer Nathan Dunn, Green Rules jumped smartly from her inside barrier before copping some heat from the Godolphin first starter Acumen (Exceed And Excel). When she fought that colt off, Green Rules needed to dig deep when challenged by the Moshe colt Rock Prophet but did enough to win by a neck.

Nathan Dunn explained his connection with Yulong.

"They have been a strong supporter. I have been breaking in and pre-training their horses for four years, building their confidence in me and they are starting to leave some horses in my stable," he told racing.com.

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"Today we had a first starter on a slow to heavy track. She proved she could handle it, but she will be electrifying on top of the ground, she is a nice filly."

Green Rules is a homebred for Yu Long Investments. She is the second named foal and second winner out of the Rock Of Gibraltar mare Hannigan Rules who is a half-sister to the Group III MVRC Alexandra Stakes winner Think Bleue (So You Think) out of the Group II STC Silver Slipper winner Ballybleue (Peintre Celebre) from the family of Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur.

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