![Better Late gets James McDonald aboard at Rosehill after being narrowly denied at his latest start. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2359160.jpg)
It is both a matter breeding and the ultimate ship that has been the making of Better Late becoming a better racehorse and his trainer believes that ‘hoof on the till’ is a step closer to winning again at Rosehill in the Midway Handicap (1300m) on Saturday.
Gelded before the start of this last preparation, the now for-year-old notched two wins in his six starts but it has been this time in where two barrier trial wins were followed by two second placings bookending a victory at benchmark 68 level at Newcastle on August 25.
“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 said.
“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.”
A Racing and Sports ratings improved at each of his last three outings, his last start at Rosehill over 1200m on September 12 was spoiled by James McDonald aboard Formal running him down late.
Positively, McDonald hops aboard Better Late this time and starting 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 lining up in the final race over 1100m first-up after a lacklustre end to her winter campaign finishing out of the placings in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) in June.
“Her work was good on Tuesday,” Doyle said.
“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.”
