Trainer Richard Lim would arguably have his best chance at a first Group win with new stable transfer Super Salute lining up in the $400,000 Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) this Sunday.
The former Malaysian champion jockey did have some success in feature races as a jockey, with his most memorable win coming in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on King And King when he was presented the trophy by the late UK monarch in 2006, but he had not come close to a ‘live chance’ in a Group race yet as a trainer, until Super Salute came along.
The four-year-old son of I Am Invincible, who won the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) in April and the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) in June for his previous handler Jason Lim, was beaten into second by Golden Monkey at his last run in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), but Lim said he had excuses.
Super Salute (Manoel Nunes) is looking to make amends in the Group 1 Singapore Derby on Sunday.
“He jumped from barrier eight in the Stewards’ Cup and the pace early was a bit slow,” explained Lim, who only welcomed Super Salute into his barn last Friday.
“(Jockey) (Manoel) Nunes decided to go forward, but then (jockey) Simon Kok (on Istataba) kicked up on the inside, so he had to do a lot of work from there to get across.
“The horse also overraced a bit, but it’s nice that we have a good draw (barrier five) this week, then we can sit one-back with cover behind the leader after jumping out.
“Nunes rode him in an easy gallop yesterday morning and he will ride him in the Derby. Nunes knows the horse better than I do, so I leave the races to him.
“Golden Monkey is one of the dangers, but anything can happen in a 1800m race.”
Super Salute’s transfer came after Jason Lim was disqualified for 18 months with effect from last Wednesday; his horses have been transferred to other trainers for them to continue racing.
Lim, who was an assistant-trainer to Jason Lim for five years before he began training last year, inherited 32 horses from his ex-boss’ yard and has now bumped up his team of gallopers to a 67-strong squad. In fact, of the seven runners from Lim’s stable this Sunday, six of them are new transfers.
Besides Super Salute, fellow Derby contender Elite Legend, Mr Black Back, Paletas, Royal Commander and Thunder Legend will also be running under Lim’s banner for the first time.
Despite the unpredictable changes in racing sometimes, Lim put his owners’ interest first and he is looking forward to the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge on Sunday.
“It was always the plan for him (Super Salute) to run in the Derby and we have to be fair to the owners (Alan N John Stable) who pay the bills,” said the Ipoh-born Singaporean conditioner, who has nine wins thus far this season.
“I’ve got 32 horses from Jason, so I have 67 in total now, but 12 of them will leave for Malaysia in two batches next month.
“I thought of giving up (training) before, but now that I have more horses, we will work harder.
“I am looking forward to Sunday as Super Salute is probably my best chance this week. But even if he (Super Salute) wins the first Group race for me, I think the credit should go to Jason.
“Elite Legend is okay. He was also bought with the Derby in mind and like they say, you’re four only once, so this is a chance for him. The Derby field isn’t big either.
“(Jockey) Dylan (Mo) contacted me and asked if I had a ride for him, so I offered the ride to him on Monday morning.”
A one-timer winner over the mile in a Class 4 race on June 11, Elite Legend steps up in class on Sunday and the son of Kodiac will jump from barrier four in the field of 11.
Hong Kong visiting jockey Dylan Mo, who was granted a six-week licence till August 28, is booked on five rides at his debut meeting in Singapore. He will also ride the Ricardo Le Grange-trained two-year-old gelding, Are You Happy, in the $110,000 Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe (1200m) at the double-feature meeting.
