A dud to begin his career, the lazy trainer turned the corner to star in the Japan Cup

Better Loosen Up was a small bay gelding, by Loosen Up (USA) out of Better Fantasy (by Better Boy IRE). He was bred by Howard Martin and foaled in the small town of Berrigan, New South Wales. Loosen Up won the French Prix de l' Avre and was the sire of six stakes-winners in Australia with Better Loosen Up being the best by far. Better Fantasy was the dam of 13 named foals, but Better Loosen Up was her only stakes-winner. Under the care of Les Theodore, the horse won one of his four starts as s two-year-old, a maiden at Bendigo in April 1988. At three, he was transferred to the Sydney stables of Bart Cummings, where he won four races and was runner-up in the Canterbury Guineas. At season's end, his record stood at a relatively unprepossessing five wins from 16 starts, although Les Theodore claims to have told the staff at Lindsay Park that the horse was 'a champion'. A new trainer, Colin Hayes, was assigned to the task. It is difficult to determine the extent of Hayes's influence versus the horse's natural late development, however, the outcomes were seriously impressive. The transition of Better Loosen Up from duffer to superstar began when he was transferred to the Hayes' stable.

Better Loosen Up narrowly finished second in the prestigious 1989 Caulfield Cup (2400m), subsequently achieving three consecutive Group One victories in the Honda, Winfield, and Railway Stakes. In early 1990, the horse demonstrated his dominance by defeating notable competitors such as Super Impose and Vo Rogue in two races, while securing a respectable second-place finish to Vo Rogue in the Australian Cup. During his 4yo season, he was entrusted to David Hayes after his father, Colin Hayes retired. He initially lost the Liston Stakes in the 1990-1991 season but remained undefeated for the rest of the season. His third triumph, following victories in the Feehan and Turnbull Stakes, was equally significant as the Cox Plate, where he established a new record. He compensated for the previous season's defeat by claiming the Australian Cup. These accomplishments earned him an invitation to participate in the prestigious 1990 Japan Cup.

In the Japan Cup, Better Loosen Up demonstrated exceptional athleticism late in the race, emerging from the rear of the field with an awe-inspiring, sustained run. This remarkable feat secured his place in history as the first and only Australian horse to claim victory in the prestigious Japan Cup. The event unfolded before a massive audience of 164,000 spectators. Better Loosen Up, guided by the skilled jockey Michael Clark surpassed a formidable competitor, Steve Cauthen, one of the most renowned American jockeys of all time, who rode the British horse Belmez.

Regrettably, a lower extremity injury hampered Better Loosen Up during his six and seven-year-old seasons. Despite making only 12 additional starts, he was unable to regain his prior level of success. He came very close to securing a second Cox Plate victory, finishing in third place, merely one length behind Super Impose and Let's Elope. His connections subsequently filed a protest against Let's Elope, which was upheld, resulting in his placement being revised to second. Better Loosen Up retired early in 1993, missing out on potential stud fees in addition to his impressive earnings of nearly $5 million. While hindsight offers perspective, it is uncertain if leaving the horse as an intact stallion would have affected his manageability and winning capabilities. Throughout his career, he participated in 45 races, securing 17 victories and 12 placements. Better Loosen Up was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2004, where he turned 30 years of age at Living Legends near Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne. Passed away in March of 2016.

RACE RECORD - 45: 17–9–3

EARNINGS - A$4,773,970

Honda Stakes (1989)

Railway Stakes (1989)

Winfield Stakes (1989)

W. S. Cox Plate (1990)

Segenhoe Stakes (1990)

LKS MacKinnon Stakes (1990)

J F Feehan Stakes (1990)

Blamey Stakes (1990, 1991)

Turnbull Stakes (1990)

Australian Cup (1991)

Japan Cup (1990)