THREE DAYS, THREE COUNTRIES, THREE GROUP WINNERS

Australian-bred Better Be The One became More Than Ready’s third Group winner in three days when he claimed the $200,000 Saas Fee Stakes (Sing Gr 3) over 1400m at Kranji on Sunday.

Stepping up to the 1400m journey for the first time in his 23 start career, Better Be The One, ridden by Vlad Duric, scored a three-quarter length victory over Apache Crown (Beautiful Crown) with Parfumier (Belong To Me) a head away third.

It was the third Stakes winner for More Than Ready in three days following More Joyous (Gr.2 Caulfield) and Regally Ready claiming a Grade 1 in Canada.

Better Be The One ran a smart 1:22.42 for the seven furlong trip.

Prior to Sunday’s Saas Fee Stakes, the More Than Ready gelding had not been tried beyond 1200m.

Previously a Listed winner in Australia, Better Be The One has now won 10 of his 23 career starts, including five of his 11 starts since landing in Singapore which also includes a close-up third in Dubai earlier in the year. Better Be The One will now be given a well-deserved break before trainer Michael Freedman again prepares the gelding for a return trip to Dubai.

Jumping smartly from barrier two, Duric took a firm hold of Better Be The One and was content to take a sit in fifth position behind the speed before kicking clear off the turn and holding the margin to the post.

“The last little bit I thought they may get me,” said Duric. “But the more I got into him the more genuine he became. The key to his victory was to get a good draw and to get some cover which we were able to do from barrier two”.

“The tempo was also another telling factor and there was really good pace all the way through. We got a lovely run through the race and he switched off well. When I asked him for his run in the straight he kept giving all the way.”

Freedman said the Saas Fee Stakes success was a bit of an after thought, but one that he was happy to take. He added that it certainly added other options for Better Be The One who is regarded in many circles as the second best sprinter in Singapore behind Rocket Man (Viscount).