By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
Whatever way you look at the $100,000 Class 1 (1400m) race this Saturday, it is very hard to see anything but a Lim’s Stable victory.
The famous dark blue and gold colours will be worn by the 2021 Singapore Horse of the year – Lim’s Lightning – and the rising star in Lim’s Kosciuszko, who remains unbeaten in eight career starts.
And for most racing pundits, the toughest decision on the day will be: which of the two Lim’s horses wins?
But don’t tell that to trainer Ricardo Le Grange and connections of the South African-bred entire, Katak.
“I respect all the horses in the field,” said the ever-diplomatic Le Grange.
“Yes, Daniel’s (Meagher, trainer) horses both look unbelievable and are in terrific form, and Hard Too Think is a multiple Group winner and his recent trial was very nice, but our boy (Katak) is in a very good space and will hold his own.”
While the six-year-old entire may have taken four starts to find his feet at Kranji, his form since suggests he is ready for a very big campaign at the top level, with some Group wins in Singapore clearly on his short-term agenda.
“He looks a picture and whatever the result on Saturday, this race will bring him on again,” said the South African-handler.
“His grand final this preparation is the (Group 1) Kranji Mile (May 21) and while we have high hopes on Saturday, that’s where you will see his very best.”
But it was definitely not smooth sailing for all concerned in getting the horse to Singapore, let alone being in a position to win a Group 1 race some 12 months later.
“Initially, Katak was being sent to Singapore by Marsh (Shirtliff), Guy (Shirtliff) and Bryn (Ressell, Vasco Stable owners) to have a crack at the (Group 1 Singapore) Derby (1800m) as a four-year-old,” continued Le Grange.
“But he was stuck in Mauritius (en route to the United Kingdom under strict quarantine protocols) and by the time he got here, it was too late.”
When he did arrive, it was with a big reputation – he was unbeaten at five career starts in South Africa – and while he tasted defeat for the first time at his Singapore debut at start six, it was unavoidable given the circumstances.
“With the Gold Cup (2021) in mind, we had to get him to races quickly and obviously, six furlongs on the Polytrack was not ideal to keep his winning streak going – especially with some 15 months off work,” lamented Le Grange.
“But, Dan (Danny Beasley, jockey) was riding him in trackwork and was very positive about Katak going forward.
“So, while the (Group 1) Raffles (Cup, 1600m) probably came up a little too soon, Dan insisted that he was still the horse we think he is and he certainly showed that at his next start.”
That was in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1800m, where he ran a gallant second to the Derby winner, Hard Too Think, before finishing in the mix (fourth) in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m, won by Lim’s Lightning.
A freshen-up and with Dan Beasley in the saddle on race day for the first time, Katak got back into the winner’s circle – some 18 months since his last win in South Africa – in a Class 2 race over 1400m, before backing up that win with a very nice victory in Kranji Stakes A company over the mile, again with Beasley up.
That was in February and with Beasley committed to Lim’s Lightning heading towards the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m), Le Grange was happy to book leading jockey Manoel Nunes for his upcoming assignments.
“Dan has a few very good options with the Lim’s horses, so Manoel was the obvious choice and has ridden him at his two recent trials – which were very pleasing,” explained Le Grange.
“He got a very good feel for the horse and we couldn’t be happier with him (Katak) heading into both Saturday and the Kranji Mile.
“We’re good to go!”
And after almost two years of racing behind closed doors, crowds are back at the Singapore Turf Club on Saturday and that announcement was not lost on Le Grange.
“It’s great for the owners and racing in general,” mused the young trainer.
“Racing needs atmosphere and the crowds will certainly bring that – we have missed them – and for owners like Guy who lives in Singapore, this Saturday is like Christmas day.”
So, will there be Class 1 gift on Saturday for the Vasco stable?
Or, do they have to wait for May 21 and the Group 1 Kranji Mile to open the biggest Group 1 present of them all?
