Better Than Ever returns with a trophy win

SINGAPORE:  Mar 18, 2012
 
BETTER THAN EVER racing away from ATO to win the Merlion
Trophy - SNTC photo

BETTER THAN EVER (French Deputy - Songfest by Unbridled's Song) returned to racing after nearly five months and promptly out-sprinted his rivals in the S$200,000 Merlion Trophy over 1200m on the polytrack at Kranji today.

The Australian gelding had been campaigning over much longer trips last season, finishing second in the Patrons' Bowl (1600m) and Singapore Derby (2000m) before winning the Kranji Mile (1600m).

However, he finished absolute last in the Raffles Cup last October which was attributed to a foot problem before the race.

A near five-month spell later, BETTER THAN EVER has come back in superb shape which his connections hope will carry him to the Singapore Airlines International Cup in May.

BETTER THAN EVER won 14 of his first 15 starts and today's win was his 16th in 23 outings.

He was partnered for the first time by Joao Moreira today and gave the Brazlian his fifth winner of the afternoon. 

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 TUXEDO MOON 2011 HANDICAP
  CLASS 5 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

9

 Shen Kim S Chua Chavez

1

2

 Cool Luke L Laxon J Moreira

2

4

 Golden Dominator L Dragon Saifudin

3

1

 Caution S Chua S John

4

2

 WHY BE 2006 STAKES
  RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

1

 Full Site M Clements S Baster

1

12

 Musketeer H Takaoka A Munro

2

7

 Ktronic S Chua I Santaan

3

2

 Boss Can I Can Khoo M Ewe

4

3

 QUE EXPRESION 2003 HANDICAP
  CLASS 4 - 1800M (POLYTRACK)  

6

 Bieber M Freedman J Moreira

1

10

 The Cinderella Man L Laxon B Vorster

2

7

 Boy S Gray D Beasley

3

8

 Itiswhatitis H K Tan I Santana

4

4

 INGLIS SYDNEY JUVENILE STAKES
  2YO - 1100M (POLYTRACK)  

4

 Master King L Laxon J Moreira

1

2

 Jackpot B Dean Aslam

2

1

 Akubra S Burridge Kellady

3

3

 Keeping The Faith S Gray Saimee

4

5

 BEAU BRUMMELL 2009 HANDICAP
  CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)  

12

 Double Dose B Dean I Santana

1

1

 Eighth Wonder D Koh J Moreira

2

10

 Oblivion H Takaoka A Munro

3

7

 Gustorunner S Lam S John

4

6

 WHY BEE 2007 STAKES
  KRANJI STAKES C - 1000M (POLYTRACK)  

3

 Eclair Flyer D Koh J Moreira

1

6

 Saratoga S Burridge S Baster

2

4

 Honest Truth T Kieser Soo

3

2

 Raleigh M Walker C S Chin

4

7

 PACIFIC PRINCE 2001 STAKES
  INITIATION - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

5

 Perfect Time H K Tan Sam

1

1

 Green Jacket H Takaoka A Munro

2

3

 Golden Beach D Koh K K Ng

3

13

 The Big Dee S Burridge S Baster

4

8

 MEXICAN ROSE 2010 HANDICAP
  CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)  

5

 Conquest S Chua J Moreira

1

13

 Elysium L Dragon A Munro

2

7

 Chan's Electra D Kok M Ewe

3

2

 American Tycoon S Chua H K Cheng

4

9

 BLIZZ BLESS 2002 HANDICAP
  CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

1

 Be A Man S Baertschiger S H Low

1

7

 Sacred Spring B Marsh C S Chin

2

6

 Sacred Emblem S Burridge S Baster

3

3

 Not My Fault S Gray J Moreira

4

10

 MERLION TROPHY
  SINGAPORE GROUP 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

1

 Better Than Ever L Laxon J Moreira

1

6

 Ato P Shaw B Vorster

2

10

 Yin Xin T Kieser O Placais

3

4

 Capablanca S Baertschiger J Powell

4

11

 WHY BE 2008 HANDICAP
  BENCHMARK 74 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)  

4

 Imagery M Freedman A Munro

1

5

 Williams L Laxon J Moreira

2

6

 Rare Earth S Burridge S Baster

3

9

 Look At Me O'Hara Anandan

4

12

 NINETYFIVE EMPEROR 2005 HANDICAP
  CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)  

9

 Boundless Glory S Burridge Chavez

1

2

 Arapuni L Laxon J Moreira

2

4

 Great Light M Clements Soo

3

11

 Black Rain S Baertschiger J Powell

4