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Better Than Ever lit up the morning barrier trials on Tuesday with a thumping eight-length win that went a long way towards erasing his Kranji Sprint misfire from a fortnight ago.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
After taking out the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, the Group 3 Merlion Trophy (1200m) on Polytrack, the French Deputy five-year-old was all at sea in the second Leg, the Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m), running ninth under the steadier of 59kg, more than 11 lengths off the winner Mr Big, who had only 51kg on his back.
Connections pointed fingers, not at the big pull in weights, but at the wet track for the lacklustre run, which brought shades of his 2010 Singapore Gold Cup run when he did not go a yard in the bog (burdened with a crushing 60kg as well) and was a beaten horse from a long way.
Jockey Joao Moreira, whose only pre-race concern originally rested in the nine-kilo difference with the other runners, later said to forget the run in the muddy conditions of the Kranji Sprint.
The tearaway leader on the Singapore jockey leaderboard returns from a three-day suspension this Sunday, in time to link up with Better Than Ever in the Kranji Stakes A race over 1400m, a race which had already been slated by trainer Laurie Laxon as the next prep run en route to his main mission, the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on May 20.
If Moreira had been in any way disappointed with the last-start run, it did not show after the sensational barrier trial which the Jupiter Stable-owned galloper wrapped up in a sizzling 59.02 seconds, flying the last 600m in 34.1 seconds.
“Laurie (stable supervisor), Shane (Ellis) and myself discussed and we all thought he needed a barrier trial, one good blow before Sunday's race,” said the Brazilian ace.
“First, we had to see how he pulled up after his last race. He came out of it very well and we decided to press on with the plans of running him in two 1400m races.”
Laxon has eschewed the traditional build-up via the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) for a sharper preparation which includes two 1200m and 1400m races apiece (last 1400m race is the Punters' Way Trophy on May 6).
“I always thought the 1200m was too sharp for him as he doesn't have the speed to match them early. The 1400m will be much more suitable for him,” said Moreira.
“The other positive is although he carries the top weight again (59.5kg), he is not giving as much weight to the others as at his last run.
“I couldn't be happier with him. I wouldn't jump on any other horse, I'll stick with him.
“I just hope for good weather on Sunday, though, and I hope his form stays this way until Monday. That is my way of saying I hope he will be still in good form on Sunday.”
While Moreira prays for blue skies on Sunday, his other plum ride aboard Super Easy in the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) comes with fewer “ifs”.
The unbeaten son of Darci Brahma is gunning for a nine out of nine in the second Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, a race which is run at level-weight conditions making his 57kg for a rating of 106 points, which is 33 points better than the next best (Distinction), a sheer luxury.
“I will gallop him tomorrow (Wednesday). I didn't work on him today but I saw him pass by and he looked pretty good,” said Moreira who has ridden the Michael Freedman-trained colt to all of his eight Kranji wins.
“I galloped him last Saturday and he gave me a great feel. He probably ran around 37.5 seconds.
“I'm not sure what Michael will ask me to do on him tomorrow. Sunday's race suits him as he's won over 1400m before (EW Barker Trophy) and I believe he's good enough to win again.”
Moreira seemed unfazed by the new opponents Super Easy is taking on such as emerging sorts Better Life and Totality, a progressive type whom he knows well for having ridden him at his last three-in-a-row.
“The opposition is more or less the same as in the first Leg. Better Life is a good filly and I have plenty of respect for Totality – a horse who I have been associated with and who I can tell you has loads of ability,” he said.
“But I have been meant to say this for a while now. I think Super Easy could be the best horse I have ridden here – and that is a big compliment given I have ridden horses like Better Than Ever here.
“Every time I ride him, he just puts the race away so quickly. I don't need to push him, but when I bring him into the clear, he just has this amazing turn of foot that makes very good horses look ordinary.
“I think he deserves his chance to race overseas next year.”