Ready To Rush, a race mare who has battled a lengthy list of injury concerns, secured an impressive victory in the TAB Highway (1000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Trainer Matthew Dale has maintained faith in Ready To Rush despite her recurring physical issues, and she is now starting to realise her significant potential.
“She’s had three knee surgeries and there was some talk if we could even get her back,” Dale commented. “But full credit to the ownership group and Kurrinda Bloodstock who have been super patient.”
Dale explained his training location, stating, “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.”
Ready To Rush ($11), expertly ridden by Rachel King, managed to fend off Sneaky Pee Cee ($6.50) by nearly a length, with Magic Speed ($81) finishing third.
The favourite, Lady Olenna ($4.40), settled at the rear of the field but put in a strong late run, finishing just over a length behind the winner.
King praised the mare’s attitude, saying, “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 win, Ready To Rush has improved her record to three wins and a second from her four career starts. Her performance now makes her a viable candidate for the $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 revealed that he trains Ready To Rush on a sand track at his farm near Goulburn to assist in keeping her sound. “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.”
With The Kosciuszko approaching, those looking for racing odds might find Ready To Rush an intriguing prospect on sports betting platforms.
