Better Than Ready searching for winning start to Queensland carnival Trainer Kelly Schweida has high hopes for Better Than Ready in today's Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) at Eagle Farm. Picture: Peter Bull Source: The Courier-Mail BETTER Than Ready and Emmalene return to Brisbane off forgettable southern expeditions today, with connections hoping to launch into the Queensland carnival with wins at Eagle Farm. Many felt Better Than Ready was ridden too close in the Group 1 Newmarket at Flemington, which was won by Shamexpress after the Queenslander stalked the speed most of the way. Better Than Ready begins his build-up to the Stradbroke in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1000m). Trainer Kelly Schweida concedes the son of More Than Ready is a long way from his peak, but the weight conditions of this race made it an attractive option. "We want him to peak in June, not now, so he is going in with fresh legs but I'm confident he's good enough to still get away with it," Schweida said. The early $1.80 quote about Better Than Ready seems a little generous. He would be giving away at least 8kg to every other rival in a handicap, but meets them at level weights under today's conditions. Schweida was heartened by the track improving out of the heavy range yesterday. Eagle Farm track manager Bill Shuck said the course was improving, but he still expected it to race slow. "In the last 82 days, we've had 51 rain days," he said. It makes it very hard for these tracks to dry out. Liam Birchley was left with more questions than answers after Emmalene's hit-and-run raid to Sydney last week. The Jet Spur mare officially ran last, but never raised a sweat down the straight as she encountered tough traffic, and punters are confident she can atone in today's Listed Juanmo Stakes. "She did more work in her gallop on the Thursday than she did in the race," Birchley said. Under this weight scale, she actually gets in better this time than she was last week. In my opinion she would have run a clear second. She just never saw daylight at any stage. Birchley said Emmalene had taken no harm from the trip and was just hoping Chris Munce could find clear running today. Bruce Brown has long held the view that Black Magic is a carnival horse, and he gets his wish to start in a good race against Emmalene and company today.