The racing future of classy mare Samaready is still up in the air; with connections yet to decide whether the two-time Group 1 winner will return to the races during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
Samaready recorded her second win at Group 1 level in the Manikato Stakes during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Samaready was sent to the spelling paddock at Vinery Stud after she beat home just a single runner in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 21 and trainer Mick Price told Racing Victoria that how she handles her stay in the paddock will determine whether she returns to the races for another campaign or whether she is sent to begin a new career as a broodmare.
“That will be up to (managing owner) Peter Orton,” Price said.
“She’s at Vinery Stud in New South Wales spelling and he said if she thrives she’ll have another season.
“He’ll have a look at her to see whether they want to breed with her now or not.
“She’s only had 12 starts, is sound and I think she still has good racing in front of her.
“She doesn’t handle heavy tracks properly, but she’s brave when she is in her zone.
“I’d like to go on and have another year with her, but that will be up to Peter Orton I guess.”
Samaready made her racing debut with a victory in the Spotless Plate (1000m) at Flemington on December 17 in 2011 and stamped herself as a filly to watch with a comfortable win in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on February 11 and scored an impressive victory in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.
The daughter of More Than Ready went into the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) as a clear favourite after taking out the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 24 and made up plenty of ground late in the Group 1 event, but could finish no better than third behind Pierro and Snitzerland.
Samaready had only one start during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival due to illness and missed the autumn after suffering a muscle tear, but returned to the races with a win in Theshark.com.au Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 31 last year before scoring a dominant four lengths victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 27.
The four-year-old was sent to the spelling paddock after suffering from respiratory issues during the running of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 25 and started her autumn preparation with a promising third in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15, but failed to perform at her best in both the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and William Reid Stakes.
Samaready has been restricted to just 12 race starts, but has already accumulated almost $1.7 million in prizemoney for connections.
