Both Super Salute and General Command face an uphill task in the $300,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on Sunday, but trainer Richard Lim has something up his sleeve for the pair that could help.
Last year’s defending champion Lim’s Kosciuszko looked all poised for a second victory first-up after he won a barrier trial last Thursday, but in no way is Lim playing for second place.
The Singaporean handler was quietly confident of a bold showing after the decision to add blinkers for the first time on Super Salute and General Command, albeit it was more of the former that he had higher hopes on in the third Leg of the STC Super Sprint series.
“We knew we had to find something extra, so blinkers go on both my horses,” explained Lim on Tuesday.
“Super Salute had a break after the (Group 1) (Singapore) Derby and is fresh.
“I thought his run (in the Derby) was good considering 1800m is probably out of his range, so dropping back in distance will be in his favour.
“I think 1400m is probably his best (distance), but he trialled well the other day (ran second in trial no 3 on August 17 to Lim’s Kosciuszko).
“Obviously, (trainer) Dan’s (Daniel Meagher) horse (Lim’s Kosciuszko) trialled better than anyone else, but blinkers will sharpen him (Super Salute) up even further.
“He galloped with them (blinkers) this morning and while it was easy work, we were very happy.”
The son of I Am Invincible was freshened up after he finished third to Golden Monkey in the Singapore Derby on July 23. Prior to that, he won four times over 1200m– albeit in easier company – and subsequently scored thrice over 1400m, including two at Group level, namely the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy on April 23 and the Group 3 Silver Bowl on June 11.
Race jockey Manoel Nunes will be in the irons this Sunday and he agreed with Lim that blinkers may just do the trick.
“Look, he’s (Super Salute) well and I couldn’t be happier with him, but we have to find something extra to beat Lim’s Kosciuszko,” said the Brazilian ace.
“We trialled him with no blinkers the other day and we felt that he needed to travel a bit better, especially as he is dropping back from 1800m, which was a stretch for him. So, blinkers added should sharpen him up.
“In my opinion, his best trip is over the 1400m, but there looks to be a lot of speed on early in this race.
“If we get a nice gate – one to five would be good – and get a trail into the race behind Lim’s Kosciuszko, we will have a crack at it late.”
On the other hand, General Command has yet to win on turf in eight starts in Singapore. Yet, Lim thought his recent third in a Class 1 race (1200m) to Mr Malek on the grass on July 8 will hold him in good stead.
“I’m not sure if he’s (General Command) up to this level yet,” said Lim of the five-year-old son of Shalaa, who will be partnered by jockey Bruno Queiroz for the first time on Sunday.
“He definitely handles the turf though as he placed behind Mr Malek, so the class was the only question and he will be tested at weight-for-age level.
“But he’s in winning form (won in a Class 2 race over 1100m on the Polytrack on August 13) and deserves a spot in this field.
“It’s an exciting time for the stable. Anything can happen in Group 1 races and we have two chances in the Lion City Cup.”
By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
