Ready To Rush, a mare whose career has been punctuated by a long list of physical setbacks, delivered a commanding performance to win the TAB Highway (1000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Despite the mare’s injury history, trainer Matthew Dale has persevered with Ready To Rush, and she is now beginning to showcase her considerable talent.
“She’s had three knee surgeries and there was some talk if we could even get her back,” Dale stated. “But full credit to the ownership group and Kurrinda Bloodstock who have been super patient.”
Dale added, “I train her solely off my farm just outside of Goulburn so that is why she presented a little ‘wintery’ today. It’s a long way from Cootamundra and Gundagai to these Highways but she has taken that next step, it was great to see.”
Under a well-judged ride from Rachel King, Ready To Rush ($11) held off Sneaky Pee Cee ($6.50) by close to a length, with Magic Speed ($81) securing third place. Those monitoring the best betting sites Australia would have noted the mare’s success at generous odds once again.
The $4.40 favourite, Lady Olenna, made ground from the rear of the field but was ultimately beaten just over a length.
King commented on the mare’s temperament, noting, “We had to duck and weave and go inside a horse and she was like ‘are you sure’ but the more I asked her the more she kept finding.”
With this victory, Ready To Rush now boasts a record of three wins and a second from four starts. Her performance has positioned her as a potential contender for the upcoming $2 million The Kosciuszko.
Dale admitted, “I didn’t have her in my Kosciuszko plans before today. But winner’s win and she is gaining in confidence all the time.”
He further explained his training methods, revealing that Ready To Rush is worked on a sand track at his Goulburn farm to aid in maintaining her soundness. “She had a jump out with two of my better mares So You Pence and Rose Aye the other day and was half a length off them. So You Pence then came out and won a Saturday race and she was half a length off her so that gave us a bit of confidence going into today.”
For those interested in the racing betting markets, Ready To Rush’s impressive performance could see her firm in The Kosciuszko odds at Australian betting sites.