Better Late showing his age with continued improvement
The combination of pedigree and undeniable talent has been the catalyst for Better Late's evolution into a superior racehorse. His trainer is confident that the gelding is nearing another triumph at Rosehill, specifically in the Midway Handicap (1300m) scheduled for Saturday.
After being gelded before his most recent preparation, the now four-year-old recorded two victories across his six starts. This current campaign, however, has seen him achieve two barrier trial wins, followed by two second-place finishes, with a win at benchmark 68 level at Newcastle on August 25 preceding them.
"He's by Maurice so he is only going to get better with a bit of time on his side," Newcastle-based trainer Nathan Doyle explained.
"He has come back in good order and I can't fault any of his runs this preparation and he's got the hoof on the till once again.
"The track suits him being an on-speed runner. He's pretty bombproof."
His performance metrics, as assessed by Racing and Sports, have improved with each of his last three appearances. His previous start at Rosehill over 1200m on September 12 was adversely affected when James McDonald, riding Formal, managed to run him down in the closing stages.
Encouragingly, McDonald is now set to ride Better Late, who will start from barrier eight.
"You can take that as you will," Doyle humorously remarked.
"But we are very happy to have him aboard.
"Better Late does everything right and gets out of the gates and makes his own luck and I will be disappointed if he isn't in the finish."
Doyle also has Mercy Me entered in the final race over 1100m. This mare is first-up after a disappointing conclusion to her winter campaign, finishing outside the placers in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) back in June.
"Her work was good on Tuesday," Doyle noted.
"She does need to take the step up from three-year-old grade and takes on the older horses but she seems to be in he right frame."
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