Lim’s Saltoro for Stewards’ Cup success

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Sunday with an exciting 10-race card featuring both turf and dirt events, highlighted by the running of the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m for four-year-olds.

With only three months left until the curtains close at Kranji, every feature race feels like part of a poignant countdown, including the $150,000 feature race this weekend.

As the second leg of the Four-Year-Old series, this year’s Stewards’ Cup attracts a field of 11 contenders. All eyes will be on the star four-year-old, Lim’s Saltoro, who boasts an impressive record of seven wins from eight starts.

In his most recent outing, the son of Shamexpress secured his first Group victory by claiming the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) in emphatic fashion. The Set Weights conditions favour horses with higher ratings.

Besides Daniel Meagher-trained Lim’s Saltoro, participants such as Pacific Emperor, Bestseller and Makin also hold significant advantages over the rest. These horses deserve prioritised consideration.

It could be a big day for the almighty Lim’s Stable, as three-year-old Lim's Smythe looks to get back to his winning ways in the $50,000 Class 4 event over 1600m.

Lim's Smythe was last seen finishing a slashing third in the G2 Singapore Guineas (1600m). Despite his fancied stablemate Lim’s Bighorn setting a fast pace at the front, he faced the challenge of making up ground from too far back in the field.

As expected, he finished strongly, coming in third, but he was no match for the winner, Ace Of Diamonds.

Returning to Class 4 this week, and with a smaller field, it should suit him better, and he appears to be very hard to oppose. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 4 No 5 Lim's Smythe

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 5 The Wild Fire

JACKPOT

R56

Leg 1: 4, 6, 9, 10

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 1

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 30 June 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: ELITE LEGEND (1)

Drops down to class 5 which is a much more suitable race for this guy, he should look to go back and run on from barrier ten.

2nd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (2)

He’s been looking to get back into this class for a long time now. Would be better suited over a longer trip but should be very competitive.

3rd Pick: AFTERMATH (4)

Complete forget run last start when dropping down into class 5, will appreciate being back at 1200m and draws well.

4th Pick: GOLDEN SENTIENCE (9)

Been very consistency in his last two starts. Key booking with Daniel Moor taking the ride. Perfect barrier in four.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LUCKY GOAL (2)

He’s been knocking on the door for a while now, had his chance on multiple occasions and Nunes is back onboard. Should go well.

2nd Pick: TALKINGTALKINGGURU (5)

Been progressing well in recent past. He put in a great performance last start when leading the field. Could roll forward for Vlad Duric from barrier two.

3rd Pick: SILVER STAR (6)

He put in a much-improved run last start behind Flying Fighter last start. Obtains apprentice claims this weekend. Okay.

4th Pick: CENTRAL LUZON (9)

Had a decent spell, hasn’t raced since February this year. Won a recent trial and could be fresh enough for this. Drawn well.

RACE 3

1st Pick: GOLDEN WAY (1)

Won well last start over this distance. Carlos Henrique now obtains the ride from an ideal barrier. Should see betting support and could go close again.

2nd Pick: WEDNESDAY (9)

Last start he was okay over this trip, showed a clean pair of heels out of the stalls and loves to roll forward. Should be the likely leader and Curatolo takes the ride.

3rd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (2)

He deserves a spot in a race like this. Should get a good run from barrier two and gets the in-form jockey Bernardo Pinheiro in the saddle.

4th Pick: ANGEL BABY (10)

Could be a great value play, things didn’t go to plan last start over 1200m and drops down to 1000m this weekend. Could surprise. Watch betting.

RACE 4

1st Pick: LIM'S SMYTHE (5)

Improving type from the Meagher stable who ran a credible third in the Singapore Guineas last month. Has been freshened up and will be strong at the end.

2nd Pick: SUPER BABY (1)

The Tan and Pinheiro combo have been dangerous in recent weeks and that formula looks set to be in the mix again here. Four top four finishes in his last four starts has him well in consideration.

3rd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (3)

Still looking to crack that first win in Singapore but has had plenty of chances to capitalize. Nunes continues to partner him, and a surprise win wouldn’t shock in this.

4th Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (6)

Found form in class five where he won with plenty in hand. The James Peters stable has been having a good run lately and his early form is more than up to this class.

RACE 5

1st Pick: BIG MAX (2)

Had every possible chance last start when leading with a moderate time, will benefit from the booking of Bruno Queiroz and draws okay in six. Should be one of the strongest competitors in this small field.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC SONIC (3)

His last few runs have been okay, couldn’t fault him from recent past and Vlad Duric now rides from barrier two. Going well. Watch betting.

3rd Pick: CENTURION (6)

Was winding up late last start behind Cheerful Babay who’s come out and won three in a row in class 5, that’s great form leading into this race. Continues to front up for a 9yo.

4th Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (1)

Forget last run behind Star express, he can be a little hit or miss but now comes onto the turf. Awkward draw. Value chance.

RACE 6

1st Pick: PACIFIC VAMPIRE (1)

Wanted to over race last start at group level but still hit the line well. Connections making the right move in a race like this and Moor partners again. He has a bit of wow factor this gelding.

2nd Pick: MT NISEKO (5)

Chad Schofield booked to ride here and was well beaten by Pacific Vampire last time they met by six lengths. Hard to say if he can turn the tables but he looks a great place forecast player.

3rd Pick: KNIPPENBERG (4)

First up this week where he has a positive record fresh including a win and two minors. Thrives on this course and over the trip with all four wins recorded here. Looks great value. His best is more than good enough.

4th Pick: GREATHAM BOY (7)

He scored a nice win at class four level last start in easy fashion. Beat a pretty competitive field that day where the form has held up. Class three is the big question and gets a nice low draw.

RACE 7

1st Pick: DIAZ (4)

He should be primed up for this race, gets Chad Schofield in the saddle and gets back to 1000m on the Poly track where he does his best racing. Will be well supported. Key player.

2nd Pick: WINS EIGHT (8)

Great win last start over 1200m, found the lead comfortably and never looked like stopping. He continues to improve with each run but just needs everything to go his way. Learner takes the ride.

3rd Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (6)

Great second most recently when behind Fast And Fearless, will look to roll forward from barrier eight but should be in the mix. Nunes onboard.

4th Pick: SWEET N SOUR (3)

Could be a great value play in this race, hasn’t been beaten far in his last couple of runs, could push forward from an outside alley and get things to suit. Okay.

RACE 8

1st Pick: STOP THE WATER (7)

Since his win four starts back he has continued to race well and put himself in the mix. The stable apprentice Sazali has been given a great opportunity here and the claim will be vital if he succeeds.

2nd Pick: COOL SIXTY-ONE (4)

The booking of the in form Daniel Moor looks a smart play from connections. Had no luck last start after racing wide and was in hampered room down the straight. The Aussie rider will have to be on his game from a wide draw but can win this.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC PADRINO (1)

Vlad Duric picks up a really nice ride on this last start winner who toughed it out on the Polytrack to hold off the fast finishers. Still very lightly raced here and this will be his first start on the turf. Watch for betting moves.

4th Pick: DANCING SUPREMO (2)

This race has been plagued by leading chances drawing wide and this gelding is one of them. A winner of two of his last three starts plus strong trials showing he has trained on well. Curatolo will need everything to go his way from the draw though.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (3)

All eyes were on him in the first leg, and he was brave to the line to hold off the fast-finishing Makin who he faces again. He is drawn to do no work from barrier one and all reports from the stable are that the mile and beyond is well in his ability.

2nd Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (9)

Proven at the distance with three wins from four starts which is a box you need to tick coming into these series races. He gets the services of a world class rider in Chad Schofield and the team have him prepped to fire in this leg and the Derby. Strong chance.

3rd Pick: MAKIN (4)

He was attacking the line hard only to fall short of Lim’s Saltoro in the first leg and showed he was a big challenger over these next two races. Drawn to do no work and will settle off the pace following the favorite everywhere he goes.

4th Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (1)

His run was very good in the Kranji Mile finishing fifth to Lim’s Kosciuszko beaten four lengths in one of Singapore’s best races. He is yet to win past 1400m but is the highest rated runner in this field and draws well to be amongst the money.

RACE 10

1st Pick: DANCING LIGHT (1)

Gets a gun draw in barrier three for visiting jockey Chad Schofield. This gelding returns to class four for the first time since February where he won over 1100m. This is more up to his ability and won a trial in good time leading into this.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC HERO (2)

His run last start was his best for a while and showed he is right back to a winning mark. He shows great early speed which he will need from barrier eight and Duric is a key booking for our leading stable.

3rd Pick: V'INVINCIBLE (5)

Ran on into the minor money last start behind the talented Last Supper and will appreciate the 4kg claim for Faiz who picks up the steer. Most of his wins have come at 1000m but his record at 1200m is more than sufficient.

4th Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (7)

Looks one of the outsiders who could be a threat to the field. Although the wide draw is a negative, he now sits two rating points lower than his last win back in April. He is very speedy when he gets rolling.