The win of Meteor Mike in the $75,000 Blackberry Cup over 1400m on Friday night made the trip from South Africa Newbury Racing’s Dennis Evans all the more worthwhile.

Evans flew into Singapore from South Africa to attend the Horse of the Year awards at the Grand Hyatt on Thursday night where Ato, another galloper of Newbury Racing, won the award the most improved horse in Singapore during the 2011 season.

Ridden by Olivier Placais, Meteor Mike scored a half-length victory over Iluminado (Matt Kellady) with Let’s See Action (Greg Cheyne) a neck away third.

“It has made the trip very worthwhile,” said Evans who has 21 or 22 horses currently in training in Singapore with another eight from Australia and South Africa on their way.

“It is always good when we come here to Singapore and see our horses run well. I was a little concerned when Olivier had to pull the whip around the 250m mark as I worried something would come and run him down.

“But luckily he held on for a good win. He’s been unlucky in a lot of his races and I think tonight he really deserved his win.”

Trainer David Hill said he wished he had a few more horses like Meteor Mike in his stable.

“He’s no superstar but he tries hard all the time,” said Hill. “I just wish we had a stable full of horses like him.

“He’s a real pleasure to train.”

Hill added that if ever a horse was deserving of a win then Meteor Mike was certainly one.

“He’s run too many unlucky seconds throughout his career,” said Hill. “If ever a horse was deserving of a win it is this bloke.

“He’s an honest old horse that tries so hard.”

Meteor Mike came from South Africa the winner of one race from three starts and just R40,700 in prizemoney.

Friday night’s victory, his third from 18 starts which also includes a further nine minor placings, saw Meteor Mike, a five-year-old by Mogok from the Spaceship mare Moondust, top the $200,000 mark in prizemoney for Newbury Racing.