Leading international super-sire More Than Ready recorded his 22nd lifetime Grade One winner Saturday when Eagle Way won the $600,000 Aus Queensland Derby (G1) by nearly two lengths on Saturday in his native Australia.
Traveling in the second half of the 18-horse field while his Grand Prix conqueror Mackintosh (NZ) led the way on Saturday, Eagle Way began to pick off rivals under jockey Tommy Berry as the field rounded the final turn. Five-wide at the top of the lane, Eagle Way took dead aim on Etymology (Aus), who was left with the lead after Mackintosh had thrown in the towel prematurely. Tangling with Rodrico for a good 200 meters, Eagle Way at last turned back that rival inside the final 100 meters to win comfortably.
“I have had four runners in group ones [as an owner], but never have I been as nervous as that before a race or during it,” owner John Moore revealed. “It was a perfect ride from Tommy–it was a George Moore ride,” he added, referring to his late father, the celebrated jockey and trainer.
Eagle Way is the 10th and most accomplished produce of the winning mare Wedgetail Eagle, who has produced three other stakes winners. Eagle Way now sports a record of 4-2-0 from 13 starts.
Eagle Way topped off an incredible weekend for More Than Ready that saw his 3-year-old colt Tom’s Ready take the Woody Stephens S. (G2) in last-to-first fashion and Zindaya roll to an impressive turf score in the Intercontinental S.
