More than ready...

Lloyd Kennewell-trained I Am Ready, $4.60, turned in the most impressive performance of the day at Ararat on Friday, smashing her rivals by five lengths in a benchmark 58 contest over 1100 metres.

The four-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible was bustled out of the gates by jockey Craig Newitt and quickly established a lead on her rivals, plotting a course away from the inside part of the track.

Newitt had a two-length lead rounding the home bend and the chasing brigade could make no inroads as the Cranbourne galloper raced away and won, eased-down on the line, hard up against the outside rail.

It was the mare’s first win in more than 12 months, a big drop in grade doing the trick in a performance that left Kennewell pleased.

“She went well. She’s been running in benchmark 64s at Flemington and The Valley; Ararat looked a suitable race for her, didn’t it? She handled the conditions well and will head to Sandown on Wednesday next week,” he said.

Kennewell was disappointed with stablemate Barragunda’s result in the Country Mile Series heat, after the gelding loomed large on the home bend.

“He just took off way too early on him, he had no chance,” Kennewell said.

“He’ll go around again next Tuesday at Ballarat.”

The form out of a Donald maiden on a nondescript Sunday meeting last September is looking better by the minute.

Dual group-one winner Hitotsu quietly won his maiden in easy fashion over 1350-metres, kick-starting a career that has seen him win the Victorian Derby and Australian Guineas at his past two starts.

Six of the 12 starters in that maiden have progressed to the winner’s stall since, adding fuel to the theory that Donald form is good form.

Weekend racing returns to the Wimmera with Edenhope to host to its annual cup meeting on Saturday.

The state’s western-most racetrack welcomes patrons back on course, with tickets available at the gate or via the club’s website.