News

Better Be The One back for Lion City Cup

28th Apr 2011

Singapore Turf Club - Craig Brennan - Thursday, 28th April 2011

While all attention has been on Rocket Man for his comeback to Singapore racing in Sunday’s Group 1 $500,000 Lion City Cup over 1200m, Better Be The One is somewhat the forgotten horse.

In deserving all the fanfare for his breakthrough International Group 1 victory in Dubai last month, Better Be The One was deserving of some of the hype following his narrow third placing on the same night.

Whereas Rocket Man was successful in the Group 1 US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m, Better Be The One ran the race of his life in finishing third to J J The Jetplane in the Group 2 US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint over the straight 1000m course on March 26.

While the chances appear slim of Better Be The One accounting for Rocket Man in Sunday’s race, trainer Michael Freedman is confident he has the gelding in good order.

Better Be The One and Danny Beasley winning back in February.

Both Rocket Man and Better Be The One returned from Dubai on the same flight before spending the next two weeks in quarantine.

While Rocket Man has trialled publically, scoring an easy trial victory on April 21, Better Be The One has been given an easier time for his return to Singapore racing.

Trackwork and a jumpout out last Saturday has Better Be The One on the fresh side as he sets out to tackle Rocket Man and four other opponents on Sunday.

“All we can do is our best and just chase Rocket Man around,” said Freedman.

“He seems in pretty good order and has done well since his return.

“I would say he’s in similar form to what he was before he left for Dubai.

“We’ve kept him as fresh as we can for this race as I think that’s the way he races best.”

Following Sunday’s race it will be on to the International Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m on May 22 which was to also have seen a rematch with J J The Jet Plane.

However that rematch, and the rematch between Rocket Man and his conqueror from the Hong Kong International Sprint last December, is off with news that the South African-trained sprinter has gone amiss.

J J The Jet Plane suffered a core lesion of his medial lower suspensory of his near foreleg and while the injury is regarded as short to medium term connections have decided not to risk the sprinter and will instead return to South Africa and allow the gelding to recuperate.

Following his third placing to J J The Jet Plane, Freedman received an invitation from Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing of Ascot in England, for Better Be The One to head to the Royal Ascot meeting in June.

After enjoying the Dubai experience and with Better Be The One running the race of his life, Freedman did have some thoughts of venturing to Royal Ascot but has had a rethink in recent weeks.

“I’ve gone a little lukewarm on the idea,” said Freedman.

“I haven’t ruled it out completely but I just want to see how things pan out with his next couple of runs.”

Better Be The One burst on to the scene in Singapore winning his first two races on the Polytrack before finishing third to Parfumier over 1200m at his first run on the turf at Kranji.

He returned to form and cemented a trip to Dubai by defeating Ghozi in a Kranji Stakes A over 1200m on February 6 before his third placing behind J J The Jet Plane.

After a successful career in Australia where he raced as Common Interest before joining Freedman in Singapore, Better Be The One has had just the five starts for the J Man Stable, collecting around $300,000 in prizemoney.

Photo: C/-Singapore Turf Club