Lim chases Singapore Gold Cup glory

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday featuring a 12-race turf card which sees the running of the third and final Leg of the Triple Crown Series, the $1 million Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m.

If one man's loss is another man's gain, then jockey Marc Lerner has greatly benefited after picking up the ride on the local champion Lim’s Kosciuszko in the Gold Cup. With Lim’s Kosciuszko’s usual rider, CC Wong, sidelined for four months after being found guilty of failing to ride to the satisfaction of stewards, Lerner has been tasked with piloting trainer Daniel Meagher's stable star to victory in the coveted event, which would secure the Australian handler a second Gold Cup after winning it in 2021 with Lim's Lightning.

Lim’s Kosciuszko tasted defeat for the first time this year in the Group 1 QEII Cup last start but lost no admirers as he fell short by less than 0.50 lengths to all-the-way winner Hongkong Great. By no means a vintage Gold Cup field in 2023, 'Kosi' is expected to bounce back in a big way.

With the Gold Cup being contested under handicap conditions, Lim’s Kosciuszko is set to carry the top weight of 58kg, but Meagher highlighted the significant impact of changes made to the Gold Cup’s handicap conditions seven years ago, which has contributed to a recent trend of top-weighted horses winning.

Meagher and the all-mighty Lim’s Stable also combine in Race 10 with promising four-year-old Lim’s Saltoro in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.

Lim’s Saltoro made his debut with an effortless win in late August when he cruised to the line by 2.75 lengths over 1100m. Though a wide draw and being poorly weighted looked to be two big obstacles ahead of him at his second career start, the gelding toughed it out by scoring a tenacious win against a quality Novice field.

Lim’s Saltoro has since trialled impressively and is ideally weighted on his Class 4 debut this week. However, a wide barrier again will force him to earn his keep. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 3 No 6 Greatham Boy

VALUE BET

Race 4 No 3 Steady Punpipi

JACKPOT

(Races 9 to 12)

R12

Leg 1: 1, 5

Leg 2: 1, 7

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 5, 9

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 11 NOV 2023


RACE 1 
1st Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (2)

Draws well in barrier three for B.Queiroz and our leading stable. Sat off the pace last start and was wearing the winner down but beaten by the best horse on the day. Strong push here.

2nd Pick: DELILAH (1)

Nunes takes over the reigns and she does rise sharply in the weights as the top-rated runner here. Her course and distance stats are strong and should get market support.

3rd Pick: DANCING TYCOON (10)

Barriers will play a big part here and Duric should be able to position him up nicely from an inside draw. Struggling to find the winners stall but this could be his race.

4th Pick: VOLCANIC (3)

Making his class five debut this weekend after some fair performances in maiden grade and gets on the turf for the first time. Watch any betting moves.


RACE 2

1st Pick: GOD'S GIFT (7)

Has been racing in peak form at this distance over the last twelve months. Gets in well at the weights for Jamil who is riding in great form. Watch for him to be charging home late.

2nd Pick: LAKSANA (2)

Back to class five since November last year where he scored over 1800m. Yet to win at this distance but brings good form from class four races. Not out of it.

3rd Pick: HEALTHY BABY (1)

Scored his maiden win over this trip last month and gets the benefit of an inside draw. Rises in weight but has shown ability in the past.

4th Pick: FIREWORKS (6)

Thrives at 1400m this gelding from a leading stable puts him right into contention. Barrier isn’t the most ideal, but he has overcome these obstacles in the past.



RACE 3

1st Pick: GREATHAM BOY (6)

Joins the strong Fitzsimmons stable for this prep and will look to be a winning one. He was our best two-year-old of that season and recent trial indicates he has improved.

2nd Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (2)

One of the best-bred thoroughbreds racing here scored a strong win when heavily supported in betting last start. Must overcome a wide draw but stays in a winning grade.

3rd Pick: ELITE JUBILATION (4)

On debut in Singapore and formerly raced in the UAE where he has a record of one win and multiple placings. Recent trial shows he is fit and ready to go first up.

4th Pick: BABY TWINS (3)

Expect him to jump quick and put plenty of speed into this event. He just needs to get a steady lead and give him a chance to see out the distance.


RACE 4

1st Pick: STEADY PUNPIPI (3)

Back to class five after a solid minor placing behind Creative Dreams. Gets the addition of blinkers from barrier four. Ever improving type who can win here.

2nd Pick: SCHNEIDER (7)

Caught the eye running on over this distance last month behind Galaxy Bar. Form has been solid over his last five runs and a win here wouldn’t shock.

3rd Pick: MY BOSS (6)

This eight-year-old has found solid form recently including four top two finishes in his last five starts. Now he does rise in the weights, so he is a risk this weekend.

4th Pick: CROWN DANCING (11)

He will look to take up a forward position for Nunes as he has done in his most recent starts. Will have to burn some petrol early so he could be a sitting duck.



RACE 5
1st Pick: BESTSELLER (1)

Talented type who has held his own all season including strong placings in our feature three-year-old races and stepped up to the mark for his most recent win at class three level. Duric on and draws perfect in two.

2nd Pick: RAMBO (2)

Very tough gelding who ran fair at his most recent outing behind Maxima. This horse had a nomination for the Gold Cup, but connections have headed here. He can bounce back.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (4)

Australian jockey Jake Bayliss booked to ride. Small field really puts him into this and if he can position up nice and early, he will hold a claim.

4th Pick: GRAND AVANTE (6)

Rises up to the mile this weekend after some brave performances at sprint trips in his last five starts. Looks a top four player but will have to be sharp to win.


RACE 6

1st Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (1)

Will have to press forward from a wide alley under Nunes. Did similar tactics when winning his maiden two starts ago. Distance isn’t a problem, and it will all come down to tempo.

2nd Pick: MY DETERMINATION (5)

Gets back onto the turf after a solid placing behind Leatherhead. His career stats look better on the turf and draws the inside alley for Simon Kok. Big player here.

3rd Pick: TAVI WILL DO (9)

One of a few speed runners who will press forward from a wide draw. Stuck it out well to the line behind Citizen last start and a repeat performance sees him figure here.

4th Pick: FORT MUSTANG (2)

Pretty one-dimensional horse who likes to get out and get rolling in front. With plenty of anticipated early speed he will need things to go his way to win. One for the exotics.



RACE 7

1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (2)

Blinkers go back on one of our highest rated horses of the past two seasons. Has been freshened up since his 3.4 length fourth placing to Lim’s Kosciuszko. Draws well and will be taking a sit ready to fire. Looks the goods here.

2nd Pick: KHARISMA (3)

Huge performance in the Group 3 Merlion Trophy last start coming from well back on the turn to run fourth in a tight finish. Well weighted and could spring up a surprise here.

3rd Pick: KING ARTHUR (1)

Placed at Group 1 level in the past and sits at the top of the ratings here. Not seen at the races since May and has had an injury issue after his last run. He’s a great sprinter but fitness is a query.

4th Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (10)

Looks the best of those down in the weights for this field. Did lead up a class one field two starts ago but doubt he can lead up Fame Star. If he gets a nice cart into the race the lightweight is vital to his chances.


RACE 8

1st Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (6)

This gelding has really stepped up to the mark at his last few starts that have produced two impressive wins. He looks better than class four and will make a big statement here.

2nd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (7)

Consistent throughout his career since arriving in Singapore that have produced nice minor placings. He will look a danger when turning for home.

3rd Pick: SACRED COMMAND (1)

Gets back to class four for the first time in a while. Rates well here and will need luck from the wide draw. Yet to win past 1400m in his career here.

4th Pick: KARISTO (2)

Comes into this with a 3kg claim for M.Ibrahim. Probably better suited to 1400m as his record is stronger but has placed at the mile in the past. Each way player.



RACE 9

1st Pick: ARTILLERY (8)

Had no luck last start when flattened as he attempted a run up the inside fence. That was a very good form race, and he just needs luck to fire here. Has plenty of ability this gelding.

2nd Pick: BLACK STORM (1)

Draws very well in four for Vlad Duric who will look to position up midfield from the draw. He is proven at this distance and looks a big player in this event.

3rd Pick: SILO (5)

Finished runner up to Greatham Boy in our best two-year-old race earlier this year. Won a trial in preparation for this and he just needs to handle the step up to 1400m. Good performance last start.

4th Pick: STRIKE GOLD (9)

Last two starts he has been on the bad end of the barrier draws. Gets the inside alley this week and he will be looking to improve again after a solid fourth placing last start.


RACE 10

1st Pick: MT NISEKO (1)

Blinkers go on this weekend off the back of a good victory when strongly favored in the betting last start. Should be up there early in the running and hoping the blinkers can fire him up.

2nd Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (7)

Connections would have had multiple palms to faces when looking at the barrier draw. He has captured plenty of attention in his two wins to date and he will continue to raise the bar. Can win this but needs luck.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC MV (2)

Solid performance two weeks ago behind Bransom who is a very prominent sprinter. His best runs have been on the Polytrack, so he needs to bring that form onto the turf with Jake Bayliss booked to ride.

4th Pick: SACRED SKY (5)

Gets in low at the weights for his second start here at Kranji. Looked sharp winning his trial in 60.83.


RACE 11 

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

Singapore's best headlines the weights for his toughest test to date. First time at the distance and must do it from barrier 16. Two of the last five years barrier 16 has been a winning gate and good horses can overcome hurdles.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (3)

Rises sharply in distance since taking out the Merlion Trophy two weeks ago. He has a fair bit of wow factor about him and he could be the surprise runner in the big race. Bayliss a big booking.

3rd Pick: INVINCIBLE TYCOON (2)

Deserves his spot in the race after some strong placings at Group 1 level his last two outings. Should position up midfield and look to come into it at the right time. Champion jockey M.Nunes a key booking.

4th Pick: ISTATABA (12)

Gets in with 50kgs for visiting Group 1 winning jockey Andrew Adkins. She is proven at the distance and has mixed it with some of our best middle-distance gallopers. One for the multiples.

RACE 12

1st Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (5)

Nunes has taken this ride over Lord’s Command who he has had a good association with. That must fill you with some confidence and he beat Dream Alliance who faces the starter in the Gold Cup.

2nd Pick: KNIPPENBERG (7)

Didn’t have much luck in his most recent start behind Asif who he faces again this weekend. Drawn ideal to position up and let the strong early speed bring him into the race.

3rd Pick: LORD'S COMMAND (9)

Gets into this race nicely off the back of a successful start to his Singapore career. Draws nicely in gate two and will be up there looking a threat for a long way.

4th Pick: RENZO (1)

Very good performance at Group 3 level last start on the Polytrack to finish fourth. Gets into the race nicely back in class with Rozlans claim. Better on the Polytrack but has won on the turf.