More Than Ready (USA) joined the all-time greats when his
filly Spring Heat won the Group III Bonecrusher Stakes in New Zealand on Saturday.
The Lance O'Sullivan-Andrew Scott trained 3yo is the 178th
stakes-winner by Vinery Stud's living legend. The Ellerslie black-type
puts More Than Ready level with breed-shaper Mr Prospector in the Top 5 behind
Danehill, Sadler's Wells, Galileo & Danzig.
"She's very promising and we've had a big opinion of this
filly for a long time," Scott said. "She showed us a huge amount of
natural ability this time last year but we've had to be very patient.
"That's starting to be rewarded now."
Spring Heat (3f More Than Ready - Emaurismo by Redoute's
Choice) was runner-up on debut at Taupo in September and then won a Hastings
maiden by three lengths on November 12.
She took on a proven field of black-type performers in the
Bonecrusher and exploded off a quick tempo to win running away by more than two
lengths over 1400m. "To get away from them in the last little bit was
very impressive," Scott added. "She's an exciting filly and will really
benefit from the experience.
"Coming back here on Boxing Day for the (G2) Eight Carat
Classic seems to be the logical next step."
Spring Heat was bred in the Hunter Valley by Jennifer Mackay
and made $240,000 out of the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2016 Inglis Easter
Yearling Sale. Her dam Emaurismo is an unraced daughter of AJC Silver
Shadow Stakes-Gr.2 winner Katima.
