Regimental Pride opened the batting for the latest line-up of More Than Ready two year-olds at Rosehill on Saturday.

Regimental Pride (2c More Than Ready – Regimental Gal by General Nediym) had been well-beaten on debut in the LR Breeders’ Plate but backed up a week later to win the Sydney Children’s Hospital Plate (1100m).

The David Payne trained colt faded from the front-end at Randwick.  In a change of tactics, he chimed in from well off the pace to defeat Standard Bearer (Choisir) by a nose second-up.  More Than Ready filly Sammy’s Girl was a length away third.

“Regimental Pride is a handy little horse,” Payne said.  “He will have three to four weeks in the paddock and then we will target the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

“I thought he would win the Breeders Plate,” Payne claimed.  “He was disappointing although I think it was just a case of stage fright.”

More Than Ready is the world’s undisputed source of quality two-year-olds.  He was Champion First Season Sire in Australia (2006), Twice Champion 2YO Sire in Australia (2008 & 2009) and was crowned Champion USA 2YO Sire in 2010 after siring the winners of both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile divisions.

His Australian 2YO premierships coincided with the Golden Slipper wins of Sebring (2008) and Phelan Ready (2009).

Regimental Pride will be given the chance to emulate his dam Regimental Gal who won the 2003 Magic Millions Classic.  He was a $120,000 graduate of this year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale.

More Than Ready has sired Augusta Proud (2008) and Phelan Ready (2009) to win Magic Millions Classics.  He stands for a $121,000 service fee at Vinery.

– Karl Patterson