The Richard Lim-trained Super Salute made a welcome return to the winners’ circle in the $100,000 Class 1 race over 1400m on Sunday and gave Manoel Nunes win number 94 for the season, edging the champ a little closer to the magical ton.
The five-year-old son of I Am Invincible had not won since winning the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on 11 June, but it was not through lack of effort with five placings from his subsequent six starts, three at Group level.
And the win on Super Salute gave Nunes a treble on the card after being successful earlier with Crown Dancing ($16) in the Class 5 Division 2 race over 1600m, while Takhi won at juicy odds ($85) in the Class 5 race over 1100m.
All three of Nunes’ wins were for Lim, who made his own headlines by also winning the opening race ($30,000 Class 5 over 1000m) with outsider ($231) Smart Gambit (Faiz Khair) and bookending the meeting with Groovy ($64) in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m, to make it five wins on the day.
Sent out the $11 favourite in a field that saw the fancied Golden Monkey an early scratching, Super Salute was only fair to jump, but Nunes made good use of barrier three to settle midfield in relatively clean air on the rails.
Out front, Fame Star (Ibrahim Mamat) made the early pace as expected with Senor Don (Rozlan Nazam) for company, with second favourite ($17) Silent Is Gold getting a dream run just behind the two leaders for apprentice Jamil Sarwi.
On the bend, Nunes was happy to follow Silent Is Gold into the race but when Jamil made his move early in the straight to take the lead at the 350m, Super Salute had a few of lengths to make up with an eight-kilo pull in the weights and some traffic against him.
But under hard riding from the soon to be crowned five-time Singapore champion jockey, Super Salute gradually made up the ground to draw level with Silent Is Gold at the 100m before drawing clear over the concluding stages to win comfortably by three-quarters of a length.
No other horse looked like being involved in the finish, although Sacred Gift ran on well enough for jockey Saifudin Ismail to run third, albeit another three-and-a-quarter lengths off the runner up.
The winning time was a slick 1min 21.14secs for the 1400m on the Long Course and Super Salute’s eighth win (two at Group level) from just 15 starts in Singapore took his prizemoney to a shade under $500,000 for the Alan N John Stable.
Lim was overjoyed by both his first win since taking over the reins on Super Salute and his first five-timer as a trainer.
“I’m over the moon,” said Lim after his high-five of wins.
“I rode five winners back in Ipoh when I was an apprentice, but it is very satisfying to do so as a trainer.
“I think my best (as a trainer) before today was three, so five is a big achievement for my stable.
“And the win of Super Salute was extra special as it was the first time he has won for me (previously trained by ex-Kranji trainer Jason Lim). A relief really as he was in good form but hadn’t won.
“We gave him a freshen up for this race and everything panned out very well in running. I was a bit worried when he was in traffic but once clear, I knew he would win.
“I have to thank the owners who support me and those who have stayed with me. And all my staff. It’s a team effort and we all work hand in hand. A good team.”
Nunes was also happy to see Super Salute back winning, but concedes the ton is a long shot at best.
“Look, I know this horse is a trier,” said Nunes.
“That’s what we love about him. Always give 100%. So to see him winning again is very good for everyone.
“We had a great barrier today and I knew I was tracking the right horse (Silent Is Gold). Yes, I was concerned about the weight difference but when we pulled out for our run, he (Super Salute) responded.
“He won in a nice time too. So a good win and a pleasure to ride him every day.
“Three wins was nice today but 100 (for the season) is almost impossible now. I think I have only ridden six winners (needed for the 100 wins) once before in Singapore so it’s a long shot.”
By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
