SINGAPORE: Better Life Goes Straight For Main Course

Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka already had a clear path in mind after Better Life failed in the $3 million Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on May 19 – straight to the Derby in two months’ time.

The experienced conditioner of stayers had the option of setting the four-year-old mare for the first two Legs of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, but the timing was not right.

Following a rescheduling of the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m) and Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) to June 9 and June 30 respectively, the interval to the last Leg, the $1.15 million Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 14 was suddenly shortened to only two weeks.

Some pundits may argue that Better Life backed up after only 19 days when she landed the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth Cup (2000m) on April 26 following her third place to Ready To Strike in the Group 3 JBBA Moonbeam Vase (1800m) on April 7, first-up from winning the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) in November.

But Takaoka was still not prepared to take any chances with the Derby which he regards as a much tougher proposition than the QEII Cup.

“I already knew after her SIA Cup run that I should just go straight to the Derby,” said the Japanese handler of his decision to bypass the Patron’s Bowl, which was won by Super Easy.

“The Stewards’ Cup was never a target as it’s way too short for her. Ideally she should have run in the Patron’s Bowl, but two weeks to the Derby is too short.

“You can’t compare her second-up win in the QEII Cup. The Derby is a stronger Group 1 race and I can’t go with the same preparation.

“But I’m still happy with her condition. She did nothing for a week after the SIA Cup, but she’s been in work since and has come along very well.

“She had a nice strong gallop on the Polytrack last week. That topped her off just nice and I would say she’s going into the Derby 100% fit.”

Ridden by regular partner Alan Munro, the Smarty Jones mare worked alongside stablemate Keep Away, sprinting home nicely in the last 800m to reel off the last 600m in 36 seconds and some change.

Takaoka said he will give the Suzuka Racing Stable-owned seven-time winner a light gallop on Wednesday and will then restrict her to just light work on Track 4 in the next three days.

“I think she’s had enough work for Sunday. One prep race would have been better, but we’ll just have to deal with what we have,” he said.

“I would say she’s as fit as she was going into the SIA Cup, though things didn’t quite work out for her in that race.

“I have to say I was disappointed with her run as I was hoping for either a third or fourth place, even if she was running against world-class horses.

“There was nothing wrong with her. She was just too far back and was never able to get a good position.

“Hopefully she can get a good draw. Anything between one and six would be nice.”

Takaoka also saddles Musketeer for long-time owner Masa Otani in the Derby, but admitted that as honest and game as the Japanese-bred gelding was, he may be a little out of his depth on Sunday.

“Musketeer has maintained his condition. He can stay, but the field is too strong for him,” said Takaoka.

“I hope he will be on the ball and with some luck, he can run a place.”

The son of Kurofune, who has three wins (1400m to 1800m) on the board, ran eighth in the Patron’s Bowl at his last start, but the race that probably gave connections a better Derby formline was his previous start when a gallant second to Michael Freedman’s Derby contender Tropaios in a 1600m race.

“It’s quite a strong Derby we will have this year. Desmond Koh’s horse City Lad was impressive in the Patron’s Bowl (when a flying second to Super Easy),” said Takaoka.

“I also have a lot of respect for Tropaios. He has been prepared especially for the Derby.

“But my mare is in top shape and I hope she can give me a second Derby.”

Better Life’s earnings will edge closer to the $2 million mark should she cross the line first on Sunday.