Underrated Multiverse Upsets Hot Favourite
Multiverse proved there was no certainty in racing when he scored a surprising win in the Tabtouch-Better Your Bet Handicap (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday.
With Battle Storm in the line-up the popular consensus from punters was that the remainder of the four-horse field would be running for second billing.
As he has been throughout his previous five starts Battle Storm was sent out the raging hot favourite and extending his unbeaten record appeared a formality.
But in a major upset the Statue Of Liberty gelding, raced by Bob Peters and prepared by Adam Durrant, couldn’t go past a runner in the straight.
Stepping up to 1200m for the first time Battle Storm finished last behind Multiverse, suffering the first loss of his six start career.
Peters, who later ended a mixed day winning with Zaratite, said there had to be genuine reasons for Battle Storm’s defeat.
“There is something wrong with him, I think,” Peters said.
“I’m a bit worried about what maybe wrong with him.”
Despite the shock win, Crispin was not totally surprised by Multiverse’s performance and said the son of Universal Ruler flies under the radar.
Giving Jason Whiting the first-leg of a double, Multiverse gained a perfect inside run and defeated Abdicator by a half-length.
In Love With Paris was a long-head away third and arguably could have finished closer if not better after getting held up in the straight.
“When you are up against a few of Bob’s (Peters) and that you don’t always have that confidence, but I’ve always said he was underrated,” Crispin said.
“I think he proved that today.”
Five-year-old Multiverse improved his record to eight wins from 18 starts and went back-to-back after defeating Nelson’s Flight a month ago.
Crispin said he has to make the most of his opportunities with Multiverse because unfortunately the gelding is restricted to a limited campaign.
“He’ll just be a winter horse,” Crispin said.
“He improves this time of year.
“He struggles with allergies coming into spring and won’t do as good.”
Julio Santarelli