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Epic Proportions Adds to Better Than Ready's Growing Tally

Mark Smith - Wednesday Jun 7

Lyndhurst Stud stallion Better Than Ready remains on track to defend his leading sire of 2yo winners title. Epic Proportions took Better Than Ready’s tally to sixteen when making a winning debut in the Palace Pier @ Darley 2yo and 3yo Maiden Plate (1100m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Ridden by Dylan Gibbons for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Epic Proportions went straight to the front and never looked back in defeating the Zoustar debutant Zousprince by two lengths with the Pride Of Dubai debutant King Of Dubai a half-length back in third.

Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said there is plenty left in the tank.

“A great debut. He trialled very well and has plenty of early speed, which is a big help around here,” Gerard-Dubord said.

‘He is a straightforward colt, and the owners have been patient. It’s good to get a win for Rob Slade and his syndications.

“He will improve as he has had only one trial. He has a good mind, which will take him a long way.”

 Ciaron Maher Bloodstock purchased Epic Proportions for $70,000 from the Yarramalong Park draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

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Epic Proportions yearling

Epic Proportions is the fifth winner for the Commands mare Commanding Epic who remained faithful to Better Than Ready for her first seven seasons.

A half-sister to stakes-placed She’s Miss Divine (Show a Heart) from the family of Sword of State, Angst and Sharp,  Commanding Epic had a switch up last season when covered by Brutal after foaling a sister to  Epic Proportions.

Better Than Ready is having his own personal battle against fellow Queenslander Spirit of Boom, who has 14 2yo winners, followed by Russian Revolution (13), Capitalist (13), Snitzel (12), Dundeel (12), and I Am Invincible (12).

With his headliner Skirt The Law winning the Magic Millions 2yo Classic, Better Than Ready holds the third spot for the Champion 2yo Sire, which Snitzel currently leads from Exceed And Excel. 

Better Than Ready has the exciting Chrysaor and the underrated Trifling running for him in Saturday’s $1million Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

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Race Result - Palace Pier @ Darley Mdn Plate 1100m

Canterbury Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:05.36
1
Epic Proportions
- 2c Better Than Ready (AUS) x Commanding Epic (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 54.5
2
2.0
Zouprince
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Moonlight Waltz (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Reece Jones 56
3
2.5
King Of Dubai
- 2g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Amber's Crown (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
4
3.4
Sumo Star
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Sport Chic (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tom Sherry 58.5
5
5.5
Balkans
- 2c Lonhro (AUS) x Ottoman (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: S Clipperton 56
6
5.7
Pink Shalala
- 2g Shalaa (IRE) x I Am Serious (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
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