Better Than Ready returns at Eagle Farm

Thursday 18 April 2013, 2:54pm

Kelly Schweida will entrust jockey Ric McMahon to deal with any track bias when Better Than Ready resumes in the Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Better Than Ready has drawn barrier two, which normally would be considered ideal, but the likelihood of a heavy track changes the picture.

At recent Eagle Farm meetings when the track has been rain-affected, horses finishing in the middle of the course have had better results over their rivals who were positioned closer to the running rail.

Schweida will leave it up to McMahon to find the best going on Better Than Ready.

"I'd sooner draw two than 17 and there aren't too many races that come out of the 1000-metre chute," he said.

"But Ricky will be in the best position to work out where the best going is."

Schweida is satisified Better Than Ready's fitness levels are where they should be, considering he hasn't raced since finishing fifth to Shamexpress in the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9.

"He's still a bit rosy in condition but he's where he should be at considering his main goal a couple of months away," he said.

The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8 will be the goal for the colt who needs a Group One win on his resume to enhance his stud prospects.

Schweida elected to bring forward Better Than Ready's return to racing, in preferance to Saturday week's Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.

"This is a three-year-old set weights race worth $100,000 and it's a better option for him to kick things off," he said.

Better Than Ready is a dominant $1.70 favourite ahead of the Kelso Wood-trained Seeking More, who is aiming for a hat-trick of wins, on the next line at $6.

In-form filly Discreet, a stablemate of Better Than Ready, will attempt 1600 metres for the first time in the Princess Stakes on Saturday.

"Whether she runs a solid mile I don't know but she comes in good at the weights and has drawn a nice gate," Schweida said.

– AAP

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