Better Than Ever Makes Winning Return

Singapore's Champion Miler Better Than Ever made a winning return to racing last night in the Sgp-3 STC Merlion Trophy (1200m) for his trainer Laurie Laxon.

Not seen on the track since the Sgp-1 Raffles Cup (1800m) last season, Better Than Ever (French Deputy x Songfest) produced a strong finish in the Sgp-3 Merlion Trophy with champion jockey Joao Moreira in the saddle to win by three-quarters-of-a-length.

"I thought he was going to run a nice third there for a while in the straight," said Laxon. "But he looked like he was really enjoying himself out there and I'd have to say so was Joao.

"He's a very good horse. He's not a sprinter as such and certainly likes it a bit further than today's journey."

Unplaced in the Raffles Cup after winning the Sgp-1 Kranji Mile, Laxon thinks a hoof problem may have been the reason why the horse produced a performance well below his best at his last start.

"He had a foot problem leading up to the Raffles Cup which had cleared up but maybe that affected him in the race," said Laxon.

Better Than Ever wins fresh up in the Sgp-3 STC Merlion Trophy (1200m)

"We then decided to give him a good spell, the first time he's had such a long break since he came up here.

"He's getting a bit older now and he really enjoys going up to the resting stables at the top of the back straight there and the break this time has done him the world of good."

Laxon has big plans for his star this season including the Sgp-2 $350,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) on April 27 and the International Group 1 $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on May 20.

"These are the plans we've made so far and I don't see any need to change them at this stage," said Laxon. "He's come back in great form and hopefully he will keep holding it all the way through to the Singapore Airlines International Cup."

Bred by Graham and Kylie Bax at Blandford Lodge in Matamata, Better Than Ever was purchased by Laurie Laxon at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Karaka Premier Sale for $80,000. His impressive record now stands at 16 wins from 22 starts and over $2 million in stakes.

Better Than Ever is raced by prominent Singapore owner Tang Weng Fei who also races Warhorse who won the Group 1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie last weekend.