Lim’s Saltoro set for first Group win

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Sunday with a mixed turf and dirt 10-race fixture highlighted by the $110,000 Group 3 Silver Bowl over 1400m on turf – the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Series.

Highly promising four-year-old Lim's Saltoro is primed to claim his first Group victory in the Silver Bowl.

All eyes will be on Lim's Saltoro in the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Series, as his recent performances have been extremely impressive. Two starts ago, the Shamexpress gelding finished a close second to champion galloper Lim’s Kosciuszko in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy, before leading all the way to win a Kranji Stakes A race in emphatic style last time out.

A six-time winner from seven starts, Lim's Saltoro stands out as the horse to beat in a small field of eight this week. His main competitors are multiple Group 3 winner Bestseller, who heads the ratings, and the ultra-consistent Makin, who has drawn perfectly in stall No 4 under champion jockey Manoel Nunes.

On ratings, the majority of the field would need to defy theirs, given the set weights conditions, but Pacific Vampire could be one who is open to more improvement having raced only three times in Singapore.

In the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on the Polytrack, keep an eye on four-year-old Pacific Atlantic. Blinkers were used for the first time in Singapore in his last start, but the gear change seemed to have an adverse effect as he raced too keenly in the lead, which left him without a finishing effort in the concluding stages. In the end, he was only beaten by 1.25 lengths into fourth.

He will have a better chance if ridden with more patience, based on his prior winning form in Australia, and he has what it takes to win a Kranji Class 4 anytime given he raced in much stronger races pre-import. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 9 No 2 Lim's Saltoro

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 7 Pacific Atlantic

JACKPOT

R48

Leg 1: 3

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

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 2, 9

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 9 JUN 24


RACE 1

1st Pick: AFTERMATH (1)

Drops down into class 5 and finds a much easier race, comes up to 1400m this time and should get a soft run from barrier one. Gets a three-kilogram claim with S Jamil onboard.

2nd Pick: ATLAS (8)

Going well in class 5, had every chance last start when sitting up on speed, comes down to 1400m and obtains an ideal draw, should be in the mix.

3rd Pick: LIM'S DREAMWALKER (2)

Waiting to record another win in this grade, had multiple opportunities and things haven’t gone to plan, could bounce back here with a great record over 1400m on the turf. Watch betting.

4th Pick: MY BOSS (11)

Tough performance most recently. Flew home from the back of field and continues to hold his form in the class. Gets apprentice claims on the weekend from a terrific barrier.

RACE 2

1st Pick: BIG UNION (1)

He has hit the ground running here in Singapore after arriving from Australia. Continues to improve from both of his two runs. Great performance last start in class 4 finishing second to Per Incrown. Loves to get back and run on.

2nd Pick: LUCKY GOAL (2)

So consistent in maiden grade, always a danger in a field like this and keeps knocking on the door. Won’t be long until he breaks the maiden status but meets a strong field this weekend. Nunes factor.

3rd Pick: THUNDERSTORM (3)

Great front running display last start, continued to hit the line hard. This weekend Bruno Queiroz gets the steer from a perfect draw and can do the same as last start. He is second-up on the weekend and should get every chance.

4th Pick: CHEVAL PEGASUS (6)

Last start had every chance and just bumped into a couple of smart horses on the day, will find this easier but drawn wide and comes onto the Poly track. Okay.

RACE 3

1st Pick: PACIFIC GENERAL (1)

Last couple of runs in class 4 have been fair, now gets into a lower grade and will be well supported on race day. Last time in this class he won easily on the Poly track. Key booking with Daniel Moor riding.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN SENTIENCE (5)

Huge performance last start over this trip on the turf, now comes back onto the Poly track where he has recorded his two victories. Nunes in the saddle and should go close again.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC SONIC (6)

Forget his last two runs, had excuses, and never saw daylight. Three starts back on the Poly track he performed well and should take get a good run with Bruno Queiroz onboard from a great barrier. Can bounce back here.

4th Pick: RHETT BUTLER (7)

Hasn’t shown a lot of ability since his restricted maiden win in 2023. Has slowly been improved in his last couple of runs and could be a place chance in this. Okay.

RACE 4

1st Pick: SAYONARA (5)

Much improved run last start, run on strongly from near last and loomed up at the right time and recorded a second placing behind Wan Legacy. Will go back from the outside gate and should be powering home late.

2nd Pick: TALKINGTALKINGGURU (7)

Good run last time out, stuck on for a minor placing and continues to hold his form in lower grade, a progressive three-year-old that won’t be too far away from breaking the maiden status. Good draw.

3rd Pick: BIG DAY (9)

Always a sneaky chance this guy, runs honestly and Ruan Maia gets the steer on the weekend. He has an electric turn of foot if things go to plan. Watch betting.

4th Pick: ONEMOREFORTHEROAD (2)

Formally raced as Gemilang for Stephen Gray, now in the care of James Peters. Won a recent trial of late and had a month between runs.

RACE 5

1st Pick: HOLE IN ONE (6)

Talented type who finally put the ball in the hole after a long break between wins last start and Nunes retains the ride. Lightly raced on the Polytrack but has performed well on it.

2nd Pick: PER INCROWN (5)

Will likely settle back in this field and look to produce his blistering sprint late that saw him win last start. Seow knows him well and should be well supported.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC PADRINO (4)

Shot clear and looked the winner last start but gunned down by Per Incrown late to settle for second place. Had the blinkers applied that day and really sharpened him up. Top three player.

4th Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (3)

Continues to front up at the races and the consistent racing is going to take its toll at some point but he is a consistent type who always tries hard. Will be fighting at the finish if there.

RACE 6

1st Pick: SABAH WIN (4)

Only horse in this race with significant form lines, won impressively last start over this distance and never looked like stopping. Should jump favourite. Drawn wide.

2nd Pick: OPPA (6)

Tuned up nicely with a recent trial and hasn’t been too far off the mark. Should get a great run from barrier four with Bruno Queiroz in the saddle.

3rd Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (5)

Fairly consistent, last few runs have been average but never fails to surprise in a weaker class 5 field. Good draw and can push forward.

4th Pick: TAKHI (7)

Always among the placings in these types of races. Had a month between runs in he’s last two. Nunes gets the ride from a low barrier. Good push.

RACE 7

1st Pick: BAKEEL (3)

Coming back in class after a string of minor placings at group level against his own age. Has plenty of ability and will get the run of the race from barrier two for Nunes.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (1)

Ran huge for a minor placing last start which was his first attempt on the Polytrack. Switches back to the turf and will be amongst the mix here.

3rd Pick: SUPREME LINER (10)

Continues to be a groomsman and looking for his big day but is running in seconds in strong form races. Will probably find these proven runners a bit tough to beat but gets our leading jockey in the saddle.

4th Pick: SUPER BABY (6)

Sat off the pace to score by 1.50 lengths back in May beating Supreme Liner who lines up again this weekend. Will need luck from his wide draw to feature.

RACE 8

1st Pick: KHAO MANEE (7)

Finding it hard to win of late but a strong second placing last start in similar conditions shows he is not far from that next win. Gets Maia in the saddle.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (8)

Held off the strong finishing Khao Manee last outing who he faces again this weekend. His career best performances have come at this course and distance. Big watch again.

3rd Pick: PRIORITIZE (2)

Will look to snag back from that wide draw but have no fear he does his best racing when settling from the tail. Probably looking for a touch further but last starts sectionals were strong.

4th Pick: GEOBELS GLORY (1)

Won a trial recently by 3.50 lengths in moderate time and steps out over the mile on the Polytrack after a solid minor placing behind Pacific Star. Finds it hard to win and watch any betting support.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (2)

Up-and-coming star from the Meagher camp who was runner up to Singapores best two starts back before claiming a Kranji Stakes A win on Mile Day. Talent will hold him as the one to beat.

2nd Pick: BESTSELLER (1)

Finished among the minors in the three-year-old series last year and has two group victories to his name since then. He should get a lovely run from the draw and looks a big danger.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC VAMPIRE (6)

Was sent out as a very short-priced favourite and travelled like he was going to win at this same distance but failed to come off the bridle. His win two starts back was ultra impressive and gets a jockey change with D.Moor booked to ride.

4th Pick: MAKIN (3)

Finished third to Cavalry in May which was a highly rated race and has since won a trial in 60.22 last week. This series has been on his radar for a while and draws very well in four.

RACE 10
1st Pick: PACIFIC STAR (9)

Strung together two class five wins in late April and early May and he has been seen attacking the line in this grade at his last two. Distance suits and will be there late.

2nd Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (1)

Draws the ace and will look to get to the outside of them at some point in the run. Needs good speed on to finish late as he can over race when amongst traffic. One for the place forecasts.

3rd Pick: SOUSUI (12)

Lightweight player who has some nice performances to his name this campaign. Sits two points away from class four but can snag one of these with even luck.

4th Pick: LIM'S CRAFT (2)

Draws wide and gets the blinkers back on this Sunday which is an interesting gear change. His career best performances have come at this course and distance and looked good in a recent trial.