The Perth Cup is the next aim for staying mare Ready To Lift who fulfilled trainer Gerald Ryan's predictions with victory in the Christmas Cup at Rosehill at her first attempt at 2400 metres.The mare was an unlucky fourth in the recent Canberra Cup after originally being left out of the field then forced to jump from a wide alley when reinstated."I have been itching to get her to 2400 metres and have been telling people how good she would be once she got there," Ryan said."She is in the Perth Cu
The Perth Cup is the next aim for staying mare Ready To Lift who fulfilled trainer Gerald Ryan's predictions with victory in the Christmas Cup at Rosehill at her first attempt at 2400 metres.
The mare was an unlucky fourth in the recent Canberra Cup after originally being left out of the field then forced to jump from a wide alley when reinstated.
"I have been itching to get her to 2400 metres and have been telling people how good she would be once she got there," Ryan said.
"She is in the Perth Cup on the limit weight of 52 kilos and I would love to take her there.
"It's still not final and I'll discuss it with the owners over the next few days.
"I'm just so pleased to see her win after she was left out of the Canberra Cup, then had the bad barrier only to be beaten a length and a half.
"She really deserved a change of luck and I'd love to see her win another big race."
The Group Two Perth Cup (2400m) is on New Year's Day.
With Roanoke striding to the front in Saturday's Listed feature, Glyn Schofield had Ready To Lift ($7) better than midfield.
Roanoke gave up the fight turning for home and favourite Rainbow Styling ($1.90) hit the front.
It was left to Ready To Lift and Zazabeau ($12) to make their runs down the outside with the mare getting the upper hand to go to the line strongly.
Zazabeau, who drew the outside gate, was two lengths behind, edging Rainbow Styling out of second by a head.
"If he draws a barrier I think he just about wins," trainer Bart Cummings said of Zazabeau.
"He will go on to the Summer Cup on Boxing Day."
Ryan also praised Schofield's ride with the win bringing up the jockey's second success for the day after Jimmy Fortunes survived a protest.
"Glyn is riding extremely well, he really has a sense of timing," Ryan said.
Schofield would have trouble making the 52kg of the Perth Cup but Ready To Lift could receive a penalty for her win and with topweight Gilded Venom in some doubt to run, weights would have to be raised.