Questions about whether trainer Laurie Laxon would start both Better Than Ever and Mexican Rose in this Friday’s Shin Min Cup have been laid to rest.
Knowing how the six-time champion horseman had always kept his two stable stars on two separate career paths, there was understandably a buzz among racegoers when they read the two Jupiter Stable-owned three-year-olds were entered in the Chinese daily-sponsored race, a Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m
But Laxon had actually never changed tack. He just wanted to wait for Tuesday’s trials to decide who would get the nod, and no, we will probably never know who is better.
“They both trialled very well but after I spoke with Saimee (Jumaat), it’s Mexican Rose who will run,” said Laxon.
“I had no choice but to enter them in the same race after an Open 3YO race was pulled out. I was hoping Better Than Ever would get a run before his main target, the Jumbo Jet, which is four weeks away.
“But Saimee told me that Better Than Ever was blowing a bit when he pulled up, though he did record a better time (60.24secs) than the filly (61.52secs).
“As he’s probably not 100% fit, it would have been tough on him to carry a big weight (59.5kg) giving weight to most of them first-up.
“He actually came back to work one week after Mexican Rose. There’s still some time left before the big race and I’ll just keep swimming him and let him peak at the right time.”
The French Deputy gelding, who is only just over $52,000 short of the magical million mark, is unbeaten in nine runs, with his last win coming in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 14.
Victory in the $200,000 Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) on August 22 would of course add another silverware to his trophy cabinet, but more significantly, would represent a new record of most number of unbeaten runs in a row – 10.
“Ninetyfive Emperor won 10 in a row but he began his career with a defeat whereas, if Better Than Ever wins his next race, he will be the first to set this record, 10 in a row without losing,” said Saimee, who was also the former 2005 glamour sprinter’s regular partner.
“I think it’d be better he skips Friday’s race and still be a chance for the record when he’ll be at his best. I have no doubt he’ll be ready when the Jumbo Jet Trophy comes around.
“He doesn’t need another race as he’s done it before. One example was when he won the Three-Year-Old Sprint first-up.
“He still hit the line very strongly in his trial but after the race, he was blowing just a little more than usual, which tells me he’s not fit and may lose if he races on Friday.
“Mexican Rose’s form is on the other hand spot-on. She stuck her neck out in the last bit and showed she was race-ready.”
The Volksraad filly is also on the comeback trail having last run in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) when she ran eighth to Green Birdie, but her re-appearance on local soil is only fleeting as the breeding barn-bound filly gets ready for a new career.
“She was caught wide and had a tough race in the KrisFlyer. She should be back to her best on Friday,” said Laxon.
“I don’t know if that will be her last race before she goes to Australia to become a broodmare. She’s already booked on a flight on August 23.”