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.

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...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Better Than Ready Hits 21
Lyndhurst Stud’s long-time front-runner Better Than Ready continues to repel the formidable challenges of Deep Field and Rubick for number of individual winners by a first season sire after Golly Hut broke his maiden at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday to become winner number 21.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Better Than Ready Hits 20
We thought last season we were seeing something exceptional when bargain priced sire Spirit of Boom churned out 18 Australian first crop winners, but lightning has struck twice with another modestly priced Queenslander in Better than Ready equalling and surpassing his figures.
Better Than Ready Back in Front
At Doomben on Wednesday, Better than Ready posted a 19th two year-old winner for the season to poke his nose back in front of big guns Snitzel and I Am Invincible in the race to be leading Australian sire by two year-old winners.