INCENTIVES: QTIS
A gelding who impressed on both type and pedigree, this Better Than Ready x True Icon was a standout purchase from Karaka and continues to shape as a very exciting prospect as he progresses through his early education—particularly given the recent success of Queensland-bred juveniles on this very stage, highlighted by this year’s Karaka Millions winner being bred in Queensland.
By proven Queensland sire Better Than Ready - renowned for producing tough, competitive and early-running winners—he combines that speed influence with a strong international pedigree. Out of an Irish-bred Churchill mare and closely related to Listed-winning two-year-old Spicy Marg, he hails from a family that consistently produces precocious performers.
Physically, he is a well-developed, athletic gelding with a deep girth, strong frame, and a fluent, free-moving action. Since entering work, he has continued to build on that impression, handling his breaking-in and first preparation with a professional attitude and adapting well to each new experience.
He has continued to impress in his trackwork, with the early signs suggesting he could develop into a forward, early-running type—an encouraging profile given his pedigree and race series eligibility.
Why We Love Him
Proven Queensland sire – Better Than Ready producing consistent 2YO success
International pedigree depth – Out of a Churchill mare with strong European form lines
Elite juvenile family – Closely related to Listed-winning 2YO Spicy Marg
Strong endorsement – Cambridge Stud retaining a share
What We’re Seeing So Far
The Better Than Ready x True Icon gelding recently stepped out in an 850-metre two-year-old jump-out on the B Grass at the Gold Coast, with Jasper Franklin aboard from barrier one. A touch slow into stride, he recovered quickly to work forward into a position outside the leader before travelling beautifully throughout the heat.
He cornered well, remained very professional and finished strongly to run second, beaten only narrowly. Importantly, he showed a lovely ability to travel and respond throughout the heat and took the experience extremely well.
It was another encouraging step in his preparation and one that should provide him with plenty of benefit as he continues to build towards race day. He has progressed in leaps and bounds throughout his education and continues to improve each time the bar is raised.
He will now head to the Gold Coast official trials on the 6th, with the intention of progressing through to the races if he continues to tick all the boxes. Showing encouraging early two-year-old ability and a naturally precocious profile, he shapes as an exciting prospect for the season ahead.
Longer term, the aim is to give him every opportunity to qualify for the Karaka Millions, with the possibility of returning to New Zealand in January should he progress as hoped.
Trainer Insight
"We couldn't be happier with the way he's come through his recent jump-out. He did a fantastic job on the day and took the experience extremely well. He was a little slow to begin but recovered quickly, travelled beautifully outside the leader and was very professional in everything he did. He finished off strongly and wasn't beaten far at all.
He was carrying around 59 kilos with Jasper on board, while the winner was carrying approximately 50 kilos, so there was a significant weight difference between the two. More importantly, he continues to come along in leaps and bounds and seems to progress every week we raise the bar with him.
He'll head to the Gold Coast trials on the 6th and, providing he continues to tick all the boxes, we'll look towards getting him to the early two-year-old races. He's shown us some really encouraging ability and appears to be a naturally precocious horse.
Ideally, the longer-term goal would be to get him qualified for the Karaka Millions and, if the opportunity presents itself, take him back to New Zealand in January. Hopefully we can get him up and going early, win one of the early two-year-old races here in Queensland and give him the opportunity to qualify. It's an exciting time with him, and we're looking forward to seeing how he progresses."
Opportunity
✔ QTIS eligible & fully paid
✔ Karaka Millions eligible (2YO & 3YO)
✔ Proven 2YO sire with international pedigree
✔ Strong commercial and racing appeal