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Punters were left reeling after the running of the $60,000 Better Life 2012 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m when roughie Spur Me On sprang a $274 surprise on Sunday.

The Flying Spur five-year-old was a last-minute entry after Siglap Bird was withdrawn, but not many were warming up to his chances given he is regarded more as a miler and was resuming after a 42-day spell.

The horror gate (14 from 14) did not make matters any better for the Michael Clements-trained galloper, but it turned out to be a blessing disguise in the end.

Jockey Barend Vorster later said that even though the gelding appreciated the sting out of the ground, the outside part of the track was not as cut up as the inside.

Indeed, Spur Me On did not look a spent force even after coursing out three to four wide. When hotpot Augustano (Michael Rodd) noticeably wilted at the 300m despite enjoying easy sectionals at the head of affairs, the race was suddenly thrown wide open, with Shoot Up High (Nooresh Juglall) who had tracked up the leader from the outset, looking the most likely to cash in on the favourite’s collapse.

But they had not reckoned with Spur Me On who under an inspiring ride from Vorster, swooped down on the outside to claim a stunning win before a quiet crowd. Shoot Up High did well to hang on for second place another three parts of a length away with Lim’s Royal (Daniel Moor) third separated by an identical margin. The winning time was 1min 11.65secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.

“He’s a horse who’s had a bit of racing and had trained off. We gave him a freshen-up and we entered him without a trial and the distance looked a bit short,” said Clements.

“But I think he loves the track with a bit of give, and he stretched out really well. He travelled wide but he kept on running on and got to the line on time.”

Vorster, who knows the gelding inside out for having now partnered him at all his four wins, said Spur Me On was a game horse who seldom shirks a fight.

“He enjoyed the track out there, and where I was, it was actually a good thing as it was not as chopped up as the inside,” said the South African rider.

“He’s the type of horse who is out to always try his best, and he quickened really well today. I think he also came back fresh and it was good to get another win from him.”

Spur Me On has now taken his stakes earnings past the $110,000 mark for the Spur Me On Stable.