While some operations are winding down as the end of racing in Singapore nears, trainer Richard Lim still has a whopping 18 horses nominated for Saturday’s penultimate meeting at Kranji.
While there was an announcement earlier on the increment in prizemoney on the Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) finale meeting on 5 October, the penultimate 10-card meeting also saw a significant increase in prizemoney for each of the races, in which Lim looked to have enough firepower this weekend to take advantage of the bonus cash input.
The case in point would be the Class 3 race (1200m) which is worth $130,000 now as compared to the previous prize purse of $70,000. Lim has fielded General Command and Lord’s Command, who could both easily pick up a cheque on best form, albeit he conceded that based on their patchy form recently, the pair will need to bring their ‘A game’ to have a say.
“They (General Command and Lord’s Command) can mix their form which is a concern,” said the former jockey-turned-trainer of the two sons of Shalaa.
“But General Command placed at his last start (finished second in a Class 3 race over 1100m on 1 September) and I was happy with his work this morning.
“His wins (five) in Singapore have all been on the Polytrack, but he has run well on the turf in good races, so no problem there.
“Lord’s Command was disappointing at his last start (finished 10th in a Class 3 race over 1400m on 14 September) when we thought he would run well.
“He did pull up a little stiff, so we gave him a couple of days off and he’s all good now.
“I think this race suits him (Lord’s Command) and hopefully, he gets a good gate as there looks to be a couple of horses that have early speed.
“No jockeys are confirmed for both horses yet but there is some nice money to pick up, so we want to give them every chance.”
Lim had no problem with getting a jockey for last-start winner Jin Sakamoto in the $85,000 Class 4 race over 1200m though. The in-form Bernardo Pinheiro will stay onboard after the pair combined for a Class 4 victory over 1200m on 14 September.
“He (Jin Sakamoto) runs very well (in two runs) for Bernardo,” said Lim of the six-year-old son of Shamexpress.
“The win was impressive, but I am worried about carrying 58.5kgs (up from 55kgs). So, it would be nice if we can get a good gate.
“We don’t work this horse much; just freshened up for this race, but I’m happy with him and he should run good again for Bernardo.
“I have booked (visiting jockey) Will Price for Groovy (x Swiss Ace) in the same race. (Former senior track rider) Mick Lockett asked me to get him a ride and I was happy too as he’s (Price) only here for the last two meetings.
“Blinkers sharpened him (Groovy) up at his last start (finished second in a Class 4 race over 1200m on 14 September) so they (blinkers) will stay on.”
Of his other runners, Lim was excited to see the return of Mission Five in the $85,000 Class 4 race (1100m) and the promising Legend Sixty-Three (x Shalaa) in the $100,000 Novice race (1200m).
“He’s (Mission Five) a nice horse, so it’s good to have him back racing,” he said of the four-year-old son of Invader, who will also be ridden by Pinheiro.
“His last start was in the Three-Year-Old Group race (ran last in the Group 3 Singapore 3YO Sprint over 1200m on 6 April) and he had a chip removed from his knee after that run.
“I was hoping to have him first-up over 1000m, but that race was cancelled. So, hopefully he can get the extra 100m as it’s been a rushed preparation.
“He might need the run, but time is running out in Singapore. His trial the other day (finished second in trial no 2 on 5 September) was okay and he’s as ready as he can be.
“And we have liked Legend Sixty-Three from day one. He always gave us a good feel and is a late bloomer, In fact, he still has some growing to do, but he has a bright future.
“(Jockey) Carlos (Henrique) will ride him again and after this run, we will spell him (Legend Sixty-Three) in Malaysia, and he will resume his career with me at my stables in Selangor.”
While Lim is saddened by the looming closure of racing in Singapore, he is busy preparing for his move to Kuala Lumpur, which would most likely be in early November.
“It’s very sad as I made Singapore the home for me and my family,” said the Malaysian-born but now Singapore citizen.
“I have a lot of good memories at Kranji like winning the (Queen Elizabeth II) QEII Cup (as a jockey on the Steven Burridge-trained King and King in 2006) and being presented the trophy by the Queen herself.
“But I’m thankful to the committee of the Selangor Turf Club for offering me stables and that’s where we are going with our horses.
“I’m also lucky all my owners are happy to follow me in Selangor. I’m very grateful for their support and I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”
By Larry Foley
