More Than Ready mare Samaready is back in training for a first-up tilt at the G1 VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15.

Samaready (4m More Than Ready – Samar by Secret Savings) won her first Group 1 in the 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes but was plagued by injury for the majority of her three year-old season.  Resuming last August, she won the G3 Heath Stakes at Caulfield and then grabbed another Group 1 in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Trainer Mick Price and her Vinery Stud part-owners were forced to curtail a spring campaign after a bleeding attack in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on October 25.

“Samaready came back into pre-training on Monday after spelling at Rockmount,” Vinery manager Peter Orton said.  “She obviously wasn’t quite right in the Manikato as the scope revealed post race.  Nevertheless, she had done a great job to come back from such a long layoff.

“She has really bloomed since going for the spell and there are a number of suitable races like the Lightning, Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket.  A trip to Sydney for the T J Smith would be an obvious target for a filly of her class, too.

“She has only had nine starts so there is still plenty of racing left in her and we are looking forward to a trouble free season ahead.”

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Samaready sold for $150,000 at the 2011 Inglis Easter yearling sale.  Vinery retained a share and she will be a valuable addition to its ranks in retirement.  Her dam Samar died a week after foaling a More Than Ready colt in October.