Trainer Tony Sears expressed admiration after his sprinter Steady Ready secured a narrow victory in the $200,000 Open Plate (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. The race marked the conclusion of the Queensland winter carnival, with Steady Ready fending off a strong challenge to hold on for a win.

Starting as the $4.20 favourite, Steady Ready was pressed hard in the final stages not by one of the other leading contenders but by a surprising runner, the $201 outsider Maximum Output, trained by Stuart Kendrick. Another long shot, Pre Eminence, priced at $31, claimed third place, contributing to a trifecta payout of $33,680 despite the favourite’s victory.

Sears, who co-trains Steady Ready alongside his daughter Maddy, praised the horse’s resilience and determination after the race. Jockey Ryan Maloney was credited for maintaining composure under pressure during the close finish. “He’s just a freak that horse, isn’t he?” Sears said, highlighting the horse’s toughness as a key factor in the win.

While Yellow Brick remains Sears’ top horse, having earned more than $4 million, Steady Ready is quickly gaining favour within the stable. Sears noted that despite some soundness issues, Steady Ready consistently shows strong effort and competitive spirit.

Looking ahead, Sears indicated plans to explore racing opportunities for Steady Ready in the upcoming Sydney spring racing season. “The set-up looked perfect for him today and I said to Ryan before the race that I thought we had the right horse to win,” he added.

The victory underscores Steady Ready’s status as a promising sprinter within Queensland’s competitive racing circuit.