It’s a blend of breeding and sheer determination that has shaped Better Late into a more proficient racehorse, and his trainer feels the gelding is close to another win at Rosehill in the Midway Handicap (1300m) this Saturday.

The four-year-old, who was gelded before his last preparation, managed two wins from his six starts. This current campaign, however, has seen him achieve two barrier trial victories, followed by two second-place finishes, with a win at benchmark 68 level at Newcastle on August 25 in between.

“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 stated.

“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.”

Better Late’s form has been on an upward trajectory, with Racing and Sports ratings indicating an improvement at each of his last three outings. His most recent start at Rosehill over 1200m on September 12 was compromised when James McDonald, riding Formal, managed to run him down late.

Encouragingly, McDonald is set to partner Better Late this time around, and the pair will start from barrier eight.

“You can take that as you will,” Doyle quipped.

“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 set to race in the final event over 1100m. This mare is first-up after a disappointing end to her winter campaign, finishing outside the placings in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) in June.

“Her work was good on Tuesday,” Doyle mentioned.

“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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