Better Life ahead for champion mare

SINGAPORE:  Jul 14, 2013
 
BETTER LIFE coasting home to an emphatic win in the Emirates
Singapore Derby - SNTC photo

Outstanding mare BETTER LIFE ended her racing career on the best possible note when she triumphed in the RM1.25mil Emirates Singapore Derby run over 2000m at Kranji here today.

The mare first came into prominence when she won the Panasonic Kranji Mile last October followed by the Singapore Gold Cup a month later.

This season, BETTER LIFE bagged the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in April before running a creditable seventh to Hong Kong's MILITARY ATTACK in the Singapore Airlines International Cup.

Trainer Hideyuki Hakaoka, who has built up a reputation for preparing top-flight stayers, eased her off after that run to set her for the Derby.

BETTER LIFE responded by recording her eighth win in 14 starts with an emphatic win, coming from just off the pace to win by one length and a quarter from WILD GEESE.

Former French campaigner TROPAIOS finished third of 15 runners.

Takaoka revealed after the race that plans were already afoot even before the Derby to send her to stud in Australia.

"I spoke with the owners before the Derby and they have decided to send her to Australia to become a broodmare. I think they have even chosen the stallion, Sebring," said Takaoka.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE:   Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position
 

 

 HELLO U.A.E. STAKES

1

 KRANJI STAKES D - 1200M

11

 BOARD WALK P Shaw J Moreira

1
  (3 b.am.g Student Council - Emerald Coast by Forestry)  

1

 Dreamcatcher M Walker J McDonald

2

7

 Ravoux S Gray K A'Isisuhairi

3

15

 Dawn Prospect M Freedman A Munro

4
 

 

 HELLO POLAND STAKES

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M

8

 JUST FOR J D Kok A Ng

1
  (3 b.nz.g Falkirk - Dubai Century by Military Plume)  

12

 Bangladesh Tiger S Burridge K A'Isisuhairi

2

5

 Blossoms Sequel S Yeoh I Santana

3

13

 Let It Rock P Shaw B Vorster

4
 

 

 HELLO U.K. STAKES

3

 CLASS 4 - 1600M

4

 GUIDED LIGHT L Laxon J McDonald

1
  (6 b.ir.g Invincible Spirit - Imperial Graf by Blushing John)  

5

 Super Victory P Shaw B Vorster

2

8

 Sweet Lodge S Burridge J Moreira

3

9

 Winning Success S Chua Kellady

4
 

 

 HELLO BRAZIL STAKES

4

 INITIATION - 1600M

11

 LION BAROWS H Takaoka A Munro

1
  (3 ch.j.g Special Week - Pleaselookatmenow by Irish River)  

10

 Dark Pulse S Burridge J Moreira

2

5

 Viva Raaj D Koh D Flores

3

8

 Dragon G C Brown D Beasley

4
 

 

 HELLO AUSTRALIA STAKES

5

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1400M

2

 CAPITIVATE M Clements M Nunes

1
  (4 gr.nz.g Kingmaker - Partyinthepark by Frenchpark)  

1

 Black Rain S Baertschiger Kellady

2

6

 Funca P Shaw J Moreira

3

7

 What's Dat C Brown J Powell

4
 

 

 HELLO PORTUGAL STAKES

6

 OPEN STAKES - 1600M

1

 MAWINGO M Freedman J Moreira

1
  (5 b.ger.h Tertullian - Montfleur by Sadler's Wells)  

5

 Keep Away H Takaoka A Munro

2

6

 Martincho Cat P Shaw B Vorster

3

8

 Shuttle Man S Burridge K A'Isisuhairi

4
 

 

 HELLO SPAIN STAKES

7

 GRADUATION - 1200M

12

 PEACE NO WAR M Freedman M Nunes

1
  (2 b.a.c War Pass - Rivers Secret by Flying Spur)  

5

 Perfect Charger H W Tan Chavez

2

4

 Hily Empire S Baertschiger J Powell

3

10

 Big Respect L Laxon J Moreira

4
 

 

 PAITITI GOLD TROPHY

8

 SINGAPORE GROUP 3 - 1200M

4

 MAKKURA L Laxon Saifudin

1
  (5 br.nz.m Falkirk - Electric Dream by Centaine)  

1

 Mr Big M Freedman Corey Brown

2

2

 Speedy Cat H W Tan M Nunes

3

3

 Masthead M Freedman J Moreira

4
 

 

 HELLO SWEDEN STAKES

9

 BENCHMARK 83 - 1400M

7

 TOM L Laxon Corey Brown

1
  (4 b.nz.g Darci Brahma - Boito Belle by Centaine)  

3

 Full Toss L Laxon J McDonald

2

6

 Lamborghini Flame Khoo G Cheyne

3

8

 Bullet Fly D Kok M Nunes

4
 

 

 EMIRATES SINGAPORE DERBY

10

 SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (4YO) - 2000M

15

 BETTER LIFE H Takaoka A Munro

1
  (4 ch.a.m. Smarty Jones - Quiet Life by Sunday Silence)  

9

 Wild Geese S Burridge M Nunes

2

5

 Tropaios M Freedman G Cheyne

3

16

 Raziyya Of Sydney M Freedman Corey Brown

4
 

 

 HELLO U.S.A. STAKES

11

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1400M

9

 SPRING THUNDER Z L Mok D Flores

1
  (3 b.am.c Spring At Last - Wassifa by Sure Blade)  

5

 World War Khoo A Munro

2

1

 Beauty Supreme C Brown Corey Brown

3

14

 Zac Heaven M Walker W L Tan

4