Two-year-old Mr Universe, trained by Wayne DaCosta and owned by Carlton Watson, made an about turn in form that has greatly enhanced the competitiveness of the two remaining legs of the Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL)-sponsored three-race juvenile series.

The first leg of the series, the Cash Pot Only One for Me Trophy, run over 1,200m on Saturday, October 15, was won in emphatic fashion by the dashing filly She’s A Man Eater, a stable companion of Mr Universe.

Up next in another two weeks is the second leg, the Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy going 1,400 metres for a purse of $3.6 million on November 26.

Mr Universe was one of three runners saddled by trainer DaCosta in the first leg of the series and, at that time, he could manage only fifth place in a field of seven runners.

On Saturday, the chestnut colt by Region of Merit, out of the Al’s River Cat’s mare Raging Fury, turned the form around completely in The Jr Whopper Two-Year-Old Juvenile Sprint, a Graded stakes event by breaking the Stakes record with a time of 1:18.2 minutes going 1,300 metres.

The old record was 1:18.3. Stablemate Armageddon who had Mr Universe well beaten by five lengths in the opening Juvenile Classic on October 15 was now put in his place by eight lengths.

“I am not really surprised by the performance. He (Mr Universe) was working quite well before the race and he got an easy lead similar to what he did on his debut. He seems to be one of those horses who loves to get in front and when he gets in front, he is pretty strong.”

“Well, basically we will go to the Supreme Ventures race over seven furlongs in two weeks’ time and then we can take it from there.

“He is going to clash with She’s A Man Eater there but on this performance, he definitely looks to have a chance against her,” DaCosta said.