More Than Ready’s all-time leading earner More Joyous turned in another top-notch performance Saturday in the Grade 1 Canterbury S. at Rosehill Racecourse in Australia (VIDEO), finishing second against colts by less than a length to her stablemate Pierro, champion 2-year-old of 2012.
The 1,300 meter (about 6 1/2-furlongs) race turned into a battle between the two champions, with Pierro attending the pace while More Joyous was in mid-pack. Pierro took off for the wire in the stretch, with More Joyous closing resolutely in the stretch to come up just three-quarters of a length short of the win.
Her early troubles were not lost on her rider Nash Rawiller.
“She was in a bit of an awkward spot early but I thought she was pulling ground off him late,” Rawiller said.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse said More Joyous will race next at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day in two weeks to attempt her third successive Group 1 in the $400,000 Queen Of The Turf S. (1500m).
More Joyous, bred in New Zealand in 2006, has earned $4,420,613 in her illustrious career, with a remarkable 21 wins in 30 starts, 18 of them coming in graded races over her five racing seasons. She is owned by her breeder Strawberry Hill Stud.
More Than Ready’s influence on track is being seen in the U.S. this spring as well. He is the sire of the undefeated 3-year-old colt Verrazano, current favorite for this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1). A stylish three-length winner of the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), Verrazano will make his next start in the Wood Memorial (G1) April 6 at Aqueduct.
