Ten from Ten for Better Than Ever
23 August 2010
Karaka Premier Sale graduate Better Than Ever has returned to the race track in better form than ever, romping home to win the S$200,000 Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy on Sunday at Kranji.
In what was his first outing as a four-year-old, after a three month spell, Better Than Ever galloped to his tenth victory in a row to maintain his perfect career record.
Up against an older, classy field in the 1400m event, with the likes of stakes-winning Big Maverick (O'Reilly x Ajfan) and stakes-placed Powerful Ruler (Viking Ruler x Capsimation) to contend with, Better Than Ever quickly banished any concerns about his fitness or ability in this company. With a smart jump from the gates he settled into the lead after 500m and never gave the chasing field a chance, swooping over the finish line with three and a half lengths to spare over stable mate Waikato.
Owned by Jupiter Stable, and ridden by regular jockey Saimee Jumaat, this win achieved another milestone for Better Than Ever with his Singapore earnings topping S$1 million (career earnings NZ$825,901). Better Than Ever was purchased by his trainer, Laurie Laxon, from Blandford Lodge at the Karaka 2008 Premier Yearling Sale for $80,000.
By French Deputy, Better Than Ever is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Songfest and has a sibling nominated for the 2011 National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The bay colt will be offered by Blandford Lodge and is by exciting young sire Darci Brahma. The 2011 National Yearling Sales Series commences 31 January at Karaka.
Second placed Waikato, also trained by Laxon, made it a New Zealand Bloodstock quinella with the seven-year-old now boasting impressive career earnings of NZ$1,522,720.
Out of Skywalker Wilkes and by Waikato Stud sire Pins, Waikato shares the same sire as New Zealand Bloodstock reigning Filly of the Year Katie Lee. Bought at the Karaka 2005 Premier Yearling Sale by Laurie Laxon for $50,000 from Highview Stud, Waikato is owned by Silver Fern Racing Stable.
Other NZB gallopers to win in Singapore on Sunday:
| Horse | Breeding | Race | Breeder | NZB Sale Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Dancer� | O'Reilly x Sleaking | Invitation (1400m) | J S, L C, M K & T M Ralston | B. Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, V. Shelby Park, S. 08 Select Sale, P. $125,000 B. NZB,� V. Anzac Lodge, S. 08 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs, P. $200,000 |
| Perfect Match | Align x Lucy's Dream | Class 4 (1400m) | W D Jolly | B. Mr Dr Wiles, V. Cairnmuir Farm, S. 07 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs, P. $50,000 |
| Seacrest | Van Nistelrooy x Verlei | Class 4 (1600m) | Trelawney Stud | B. Wallace Thoroughbreds Ltd, V. Trelawney Stud Ltd, S. 07 Premier Sale, P. $60,000 |
Entries for New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs are due today Monday 23 August. To request an entry form email reception@nzb.co.nz or phone +64 9 298 0055.