News

Two from two for exciting filly

28th Nov 2011

Singapore Turf Club - Michael Lee - Friday, 25 November 2011

Promising filly Better Life turned in another sterling performance to make it two from two on Friday night.

An impressive Restricted Maiden winner over 1200m at debut last month, the Smarty Jones three-year-old was stepped up in class to Novice company and in distance to 1400m but she still held her own with a commanding 3 ¼ length victory over Jeram Glory.

Unlike at her first win when she flashed home from near last for jockey Alan Munro, Better Life, who was carrying only 50.5kg on her back and had lightweight jockey Barend Vorster in the irons, was ridden closer to the speed this time.

Settled in fourth, the chestnut filly had her main rivals Dreamcatcher (Benny Woodworth), Bungae (Joao Moreira) and Jeram Glory (Danny Beasley) ahead of her for most of the way. She even looked a little boxed in on the rails when the field swung for home, but once Vorster took her out into the clear, she just exploded away, leaving her rivals reeling in her wake.

Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka, who had been a bit apprehensive of the yielding track before the race, was a happy man at the winner’s circle.

“What can I say? She was even more impressive tonight,” said the Japanese.

“The field was stronger but she won very easily. I think having a top rider like Barend on her helped as well.

“I was a bit worried if she could handle a rain-affected track but 5.2 (yielding) is not too bad I guess.

“Being by Smarty Jones (2004 Kentucky Derby winner), she will definitely get better over more ground.

“I will probably look at the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge next year. She should be able to run over all three distances (1200m, 1400m and 1600m).”

Though Better Life, who cost A$150,000 as a yearling, is by a Northern Hemisphere sire in Smarty Jones, she was foaled down in Australia and just turned three on October 7. She was sold at the Inglis Easter sales by John Cornish’s Torryburn Stud.

She is raced by the Suzuka Racing Stable, for whom Vorster has often been associated with through the deeds of another useful galloper of theirs, Keep Away, also trained by Takaoka.

Both are smart but no prizes for guessing which ward Vorster would be more excited about.

“Put it simply, she is very exciting, very impressive,” said the South African jockey who was at a treble having booted two previous winners in Secara and People’s Victory.

“She is only a small horse, but she has such long strides. She gets down low but it’s amazing how she reaches out so effortlessly.

“It was always the plan to ride her closer today. It’s a short course and we can’t give away too much start, especially as she was taking on stronger horses.

“She was travelling so well on the inside. Beasley wanted to keep me on the inside just before the home turn but I told myself no worries I will just bide my time.

“I just brought her back and when I took her into the clear, she just quickened away so well. She is still a typical filly as she was swishing her tail and all but she has tons of ability and will improve with time.”