Top jockey Damian Browne issued a warning to potential rivals after gun galloper Ready To Rip returned to racing in blistering fashion at Eagle Farm today.Having his first start since a big win on Magic Millions day in January, Ready To Rip dominated a top field of three-year-olds in the $100,000 Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) and Browne was succinct in his post-race assessment."The best is yet to come," he said."He went into this race underdone but during the run he was always going to win."I was s
Top jockey Damian Browne issued a warning to potential rivals after gun galloper Ready To Rip returned to racing in blistering fashion at Eagle Farm today.
Having his first start since a big win on Magic Millions day in January, Ready To Rip dominated a top field of three-year-olds in the $100,000 Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) and Browne was succinct in his post-race assessment.
"The best is yet to come," he said.
"He went into this race underdone but during the run he was always going to win.
"I was surprised how easily he travelled up on the corner and he let down really well in the straight."
Winning trainer Andrew Williamson said Ready To Rip would follow the traditional path toward the Queensland Guineas but wouldn't rule out a start in the Stradbroke Handicap.
"He'll go to the Gold Coast Guineas next, then the Fred Best Classic but he will also be nominated for the Stradbroke," Williamson said.
"I haven't mentioned that to Damian yet because he won't get his weight in the Stradbroke."
Browne knew immediately the day he rode Ready To Rip to a debut win at Doomben last September that the horse was a potential topliner and he was elated to be finally reunited with him.
"He only won a maiden but he gave me the feel of a really good horse the day he won his first start," Browne said.
"I ride him all his work and he's a serious horse. He'll be much better next season too."
Browne rode his typical patient race on Ready To Rip ($7) and the horse sprinted hard in the straight to beat the unlucky Liesele ($6) by a length with Spirit Of Boom ($4.20) a neck back third.
Favourite Havatryst ($3.80) had every chance but disappointed and faded to finish a tiring fifth, five lengths from the winner.
Meanwhile, Tamworth sprinter Border Rebel is Stradbroke-bound after scoring his second consecutive win in the $80,000 Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m).
Border Rebel produced what trainer Sue Grills described as a career-best performance to lead throughout under 60kg and the five-year-old will now dodge hard tracks at all costs.
"He will never start on a dry track again," Grills said.
"He loves a soft track and I know Queensland really needs some sunshine but I'll be hoping the rain keeps coming."
Border Rebel took his record to 13 wins from 21 starts and Grills said he would probably start next in the Scone Quality on May 13 before lining up in the Doomben 10,000 on May 28 en route to the Stradbroke two weeks later.