Girls Are Ready stakes claim as a genuine MM Classic contender

Girls Are Ready just might give the Cleary clan another Magic Millions victory after her dominant effort at Warwick Farm saw secure a start in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic.

Girls Are Ready just might give the Cleary clan another Magic Millions victory after her dominant effort at Warwick Farm.

The underrated Queanbeyan-trained two-year-old filly showed good early speed, settling outside the leader before forging clear for a comfortable win in the Member Get Member Handicap (1200m).

Trainer Joe Cleary was hoping Girls Are Ready could finish top four to boost her chances of getting into the field for the $2 million Magic Millions on the Gold Coast on January 12 — but the $58,000 first prizemoney she earned on Saturday has secured her a start in the glamour two-year-old race.

Cleary, who wasn’t trackside on Saturday, is now hoping to emulate his father, Frank, who prepared the brilliant Clan O’Sullivan to win the Magic Millions in 1992.

And it was the maestro, Frank Cleary, who was there to meet jockey Jess Taylor, who was wearing his familiar racing colours of lime green and purple hoops, white sleeves and cap, as she brought Girls Are Ready back to the winner’s stall.

Jockey Jess Taylor rides Girls Are Ready to victory at Warwick Farm. Picture: AAP

“My wife, Sue, and Joe’s wife, Sharlene, are among the owners of this filly and that is the reason she races in my old colours,’’ Frank Cleary said.

“A lot of my good horses raced in those colours including Wayne’s Bid, Select Prince and Friend’s Venture.’’

Girls Are Ready ($6) scored her second successive city win from just three starts when she scored by two lengths from Sebrakate ($9) with early leader Aeecee Vinco ($2.60 favourite) nearly a length away third.

Deterge eased from $2.25 out to $3 and after enjoyed the run of the race, struggled from the turn to finish at the rear of the seven-horse field.

Cleary admitted he didn’t expect Girls Are Ready would show such speed early in Saturday’s race.

“Our plan was to sit back and get some cover,’’ Cleary admitted.

“But when she began so well, Jess did the right thing and put her in the race. When you have a good start like that, you can’t waste it, especially with two-year-olds, you have to be there somewhere.

Stable representative Frank Cleary.

Jockey Jess Taylor returns to scale.

“This filly has surprised us a bit but Joe has always had an opinion of her. He said early on that she goes good.

“Joe has done a wonderful job with her, he has got her flying.’’

Taylor has won on Girls Are Ready at Canterbury and Warwick Farm and believes the filly is still improving.

“She was quite dominant today. She keeps learning a bit more every time she races,’’ Taylor said.

“At her first two starts she was off the bit the whole way but today she bounced out of the gates and travelled super.

“If she can get a wet track on Magic Million day it can only help her.’’

Cleary said his son plans to give Girls Are Ready a few days in the paddock to get over the Warwick Farm race and have her primed for the Magic Millions.

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors trimmed Girls Are Ready from $51 into $26 for the Magic Millions.

Unite And Conquer, the unbeaten colt trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, retains Magic Millions favouritism at $4.50 ahead of Breeders Plate winner Dubious ($5) who also kept his perfect race record intact winning the opening race at Eagle Farm yesterday.

Jockey Tommy Berry goes for home on Heart Conquered at Warwick Farm.

ALL HEART FOR FEARLESS PUNTER

The fearless punter who had a massive $50,000 wager on Heart Conquered never had a moment’s concern as the young sprinter romped home at Warwick Farm.

Heart Conquered jumped straight to the front and the further they went, the further he drew clear of his chasing rivals in the Summer Racing Handicap (1000m).

TAB Fixed Odds reported some big bets against the promising Team Hawkes-trained three-year-old including $50,000 at $2.

Star jockey Tommy Berry revealed Heart Conquered had the race won soon after the start.

“He jumped cleanly then after we had gone 100m and there was no pressure on, I thought it was game over from there,’’ Berry said.

“He has a beautiful action on him, a high cruising speed, and these 1000m races suit him down to the ground.

“He has beaten the older horses convincingly, makes his own luck and is winning with authority.

“The wet tracks help him because he is so brilliant in the going and it will be interesting to see how he goes when he strikes a dry track but he feels to me like he is well above average.’’

Speedy Heart Conquered ($2) led throughout and coasted home three-and-a-half lengths from Revenire $4.40) with Ghostly ($15) a short head away third.

Heart Conquered is a son of Akeed Mofeed, a winner of the Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Cup who now stands at stud in Adelaide.

Trainer Michael Hawkes has a good opinion of Heart Conquered.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said Heart Conquered is a young sprinter with “above average ability.’’

“Heart Conquered is a sprinter with a great attitude,’’ Hawkes said.

“Tommy had never ridden the horse before and I said just to get him into a nice rhythm. He has a high cruising speed and a great will-to-win.

“We felt this was the right race for him as he only went up a kilo on his last start albeit he was taking on Saturday grade. But when he got the lead without pressure, it was all over.’’