Can it get Much Bettor at Cowra?

17 September 2022

YOUNG-trained pacer So Much Bettor will be aiming to go back-to-back in the Tritech Cowra Cup, the feature race at the Cowra Harness Racing Club’s strong eight-race Carnival of Cups meeting on Sunday.

The David Micallef-trained, and Blake Micallef-driven gelding won the Cup just three months ago and the opportunity for him to contest the race again has been brought about by the Cowra Club moving its carnival to September.

Owned by the Schiller family at Young, So Much Bettor was given to the Micallef family to train after his former mentor Glenn Schiller became ill and was unable to travel the horse to the races.

“The Schillers are good family friends and when Glenn became unwell, we were more than happy to take over the training of the horse for him,” said David.

“So Much Bettor was rising through the grades when we got him and we knew that he would need to be travelled to find suitable racing, so it was ideal that he came to us as we get to most meetings in the area.

“I am over the moon at how well he has performed for us.

“We love the horse, and it gives me the greatest feeling whenever he goes well, not only for us but also for Glenn and his family.”

Heading into this feature, Micallef knows that the horse has a tough assignment after drawing wide on the second row.

But he remains confident given that So Much Bettor is suited by the conditions of the Cup as his racing pattern is to sit back and come with the one run.

“He has been racing well lately in stronger company at Menangle,” said Micallef.

“Although finishing unplaced, he has been very close to the money, so if he is able to get the right trip into the race he will be right in the finish.

“The open-class races are generally even, and it is usually the one that gets the right breaks that wins.

“So, making the right decisions in a race like this can be the difference between winning and losing.

“Blake knows this horse so well, and that’s a great benefit to start with.”

Early betting markets struggled to find the top pick for the Cup with So Much Bettor sharing favouritism with the Amanda Turnbull-trained Fasika.