Readytogorightnow (AUS) has always looked capable of maturing into a feature race contender and he looked the part in no uncertain terms as he swooped late to land the Gr 3 Tekkie Town Winter Guineas over 1600m at Kenilworth on Sunday. Hot favourite King Of Pain (SAF) had to settle for second with Ze Kaiser (SAF) and Lion's Roar (SAF) in the minor placings.

The winner's stablemate Lion's Roar was soon out in front while King Of Pain, who initially raced a bit wide further back in the field eventually came around runners to race in second place. Readytogorightnow was next best, ahead of Ze Kaiser, Gifted For Glory and Maltese Falcon who, in turn, raced ahead of Paterfamilias, Awesome Power and Summer Sanctuary.

Lion's Roar stuck to his task commendably in the straight, trying to stick with King Of Pain as that one slipped into the lead down the inside. Ze Kaiser was very much in contention and Summer Sanctuary made up plenty of ground from behind, but nothing was travelling quite as well as Readytogorightnow.

King Of Pain tried desperately to hang on to the lead but Readytogorightnow was all over him in the closing stages and went on by to win going away by 1.50 lengths.

The winner had previously only won at maiden and Novice Plate level, but he has been bumping strong company for most of his career and his previous efforts included a decent third to the smart Chave De Oura in the Cape Classic. Trainer Justin Snaith (pictured) has always rated the son of More Than Ready and he has clearly come on nicely since the summer. The victory marked the second leg of a feature race double on the day for jockey Anton Marcus, following an armchair ride on odds-on favourite Blueridge Mountain, who posted an easy, start-to-finish victory in the listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes Stakes over 1400m earlier in the day.

King Of Pain didn't justify his odds of 8/10 but this wasn't a bad effort in the circumstances. He was having his first start in three months and may well have needed it, in which case his connections can take encouragement from the fact that he had the rest of the field well beaten. He is not the most straightforward of rides and one can't shake the feeling that he will be at his best when racing around 2000m in due course. 

Ze Kaiser has bounced back well from his Cape Derby disappointment and he looks a strong contender for the remaining legs of the Winter Series as he is likely to enjoy the step up in distance he will encounter there.

Lion's Roar emerged with plenty of credit after doing the hard work early on and he will find easier opportunities than this to get back on the winning trail.

3 br g More Than Ready (USA) - Storm Fronts (AUS) by Hurricane Sky (AUS)
Messrs H Adams, B Kantor & M J Jooste & Mrs I Jooste
Bred by Mr G J Moffitt, NSW
Winning trainer: Justin Snaith