3 minute read
Punters were dealt a severe blow when the odds-on favourite Better Than Ever almost fell which put him out of contention in the $125,000 Better Than Ever 2010 Stakes over 1400m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
And had the five-year-old fallen then plans for the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup over 2000m on May 20 could have been thrown into disarray.
Better Than Ever was travelling just behind the when he looked to clip heels and stumble.
It was the horseman skills of jockey Joao Moreira that prevented Better Than Ever falling as he was able to pick the gelding up, although he tailed in a long last in the eight horse field.
"He ran out of room when the other horse (Mr Raffles) rolled in, Joao said he clipped heels," said trainer Laurie Laxon.
"I was worried he would fall over, but luckily he managed to stay on his feet. We'll see how he is, but I think he'll be all right.
"I'll probably give him one more barrier trial before his next run (in the Punters' Way Cup on May 6)."
The race was taken out by $131 outsider Black Ice, ridden by Matthew Kellady, by a head over Davide (Barend Vorster) with Jamal Malik (Alan Munro) a neck away third.
Kellady had his heart in his mouth when Better Than Ever stumbled as he was on the fence and to the inside of the favourite.
The jockey persevered with inside runs on Black Ice before switching out late around the heels of the leader U Got It (Koh Teck Huat) which tired late.
“I had to stop and start on him,” said Kellady. “I was a bit worried when I saw Better Than Ever almost fall and luckily there was enough room for me to get through.
“This horse has had a history of problems and I've done most of the trackwork on him so I get a little more satisfaction out of the win.
“He's such a real trier. He's got a big heart and that's what got him home today.”
Trainer Steven Burridge described Black Ice as a “cripple” and that he had had only the one gallop since he resumed back on April 8 when he finished 10th behind Mr Big in the Group 3 Kranji Sprint.
“He's got so much ability but he can't be trained the way you would like,” said Burridge.
“He was flat out walking four days before his first-up run two weeks ago and we've only given him one gallop since his last run.
“Wife Julie has done a great job looking after him and Jacki (Harrison) who joined us recently has also done a lot of work.
“The vets have been over him a number of times and just can't find where the problem is with him.
“He's probably only 60 per cent fit at this stage. Hopefully he'll come out of this race in good order and we'll find something suitable for him in a couple of weeks.”
Black Ice spent 12 months on the sidelines after winning over 1200m on the Polytrack on April 8, 2011, and Sunday's victory was his seventh from 17 starts and took his prizemoney past the $300,000 mark.
A five-year-old Australian-bred by Mugharreb from the General Nediym mare Lady Migaloo, Black Ice is owned by the Black Ice Stable.