Better Than Ever Dubai Bound

Singapore superstar Better Than Ever continued his Dubai bound campaign in style last night at Kranji with a record-breaking win in the Sgp-3 Polytrack Mile Championship (1600m).

In what proved to be a stiff contest, champion trainer Laurie Laxon and the Jupiter Stable were able to breathe a sigh of relief as Better Than Ever (French Deputy x Songfest) crossed the line for his 13th win.

Missing the start, Better Than Ever was forced to race from the back of the field, and at the 800 metre mark, regular race jockey Saimee Jumaat brought the four-year-old through the field before taking him wide on the turn. Looking well covered at the furlong marker, Better Than Ever dough deep and ran down his rivals, winning by just over a length-and-a-half.

The win saw the son of French Deputy break the track record running the 1600 metres in a slick 1.37.69. Trainer Laurie Laxon was understandably pleased with the outcome.

"Well, he sure gave us a bit of a fright, especially at the start. We'll need to take a look at that, but never mind, he got home. It was still a game win.

"That race will certainly trim him up. It's taken a bit of work to get him where we wanted.

"He's leaving (for Dubai) next Saturday and the plan is just to keep him ticking over when he gets there."           

Better Than Ever holds a nomination for the coveted Group 1 Dubai Duty Free (1800m) on March 26, a race where he will meet another flying NZB graduate, the power house Beauty Flash (Golan).

Better Than Ever has now won 13 of his 14 starts and over S$1.6 million on the track and was purchased by his trainer Laurie Laxon from Blandford Lodge at the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale for $80,000.