Lim’s Saltoro to keep unbeaten record intact

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday featuring an 11-race turf and dirt fixture.

Unbeaten four-year-old, Lim's Saltoro, is primed to pick up where he left off last season when he returns to Kranji in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Lim's Saltoro is one of the most exciting four-year-olds in Singapore at the moment, and he has yet to find anyone better from three starts to date. His most impressive win so far occurred two starts ago when the Shamexpress gelding defeated a quality Novice field featuring the likes of Silo, Black Storm and Strike Gold.

Lim's Saltoro was last seen leading all the way to score an easy win by 1.50 lengths on his Class 4 debut in November last year.

The Daniel Meagher-trained up-and-comer is well-prepared with three trials for his return, and he can prove hard to beat remaining in Class 4 first-up.

Elsewhere, promising four-year-old Golden Brown looks on track to go back-to-back in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Golden Brown has been a consistent type since day one, boasting a reliable record of two wins and four placings from seven starts. Following a close second two starts ago, the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained gelding broke through in Class 4 last time out, easily overhauling his rivals by 1.25 lengths over this track and distance.

Golden Brown has since trialled well to maintain his form, and with champion jockey Manoel Nunes remaining on board, a double looks well within his reach. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 8 No 4 Lim's Saltoro

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 6 Atlas

JACKPOT

R120

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 6

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

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 2 MAR 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: HEALTHY BABY (2)

Had a nice run off the speed last start and fought it out to finish second behind Nature Chief. That was his best run for a while and should gain support in betting.

2nd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (3)

Has been holding good form since his win two starts ago and if he can improve off that last run, he can record win number two in a race like this.

3rd Pick: SIMON (1)

Yet to win past 1200m in his career but has placed twice at this distance including a nice second placing back in December. Should position up nicely and look a danger turning for home.

4th Pick: DELILAH (6)

Finished a credible third to Starboy a few weeks back in a good form race. Winner has gone on to place at class four level and this mare looks well placed at this level.

RACE 2

1st Pick: PACIFIC SPIRIT (7)

Ran a career best last start over the 1700m on the poly track, switches back to the turf on this occasion and should appreciate the drop back to 1400m. He has some ability for a 3yo and can kick up from the inside barrier.

2nd Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (1)

Went back to open maiden company last start and finished off strongly grabbing a minor placing behind Pacific Snoopy. Likes to be up on speed and can figure here. Wide barrier.

3rd Pick: SILVER WARRIOR (8)

Slowly improving with each run. Huge performance last start working home from the back of field and has a great turn of foot. Will be a danger from a great draw.

4th Pick: BEN'S CHAMPION (6)

Racing well from only his six starts. Got the inside barrier most recently and got into a great position, held his own against some young up and coming horses. Will need to hold his form to measure up again.

RACE 3

1st Pick: PACIFIC GENERAL (1)

Best run to date from his eight starts, Duric had to go wide from the back of field to get into the race and loomed up to win but got ran down, finishing second behind Silver Dragon. Should take natural improvement and goes well on the poly surface.

2nd Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (3)

Going well. Ran second behind the promising Lim’s Bighorn last time out. That form stacks up well for this race. Not the strongest field and has been handy in class 5. Will struggle from the wide gate.

3rd Pick: LIM'S FORCE (4)

She was in the same race behind Silver Dragon, her best days might be behind her but can always upset in this class. Will need to settle midfield and work home late. Okay.

4th Pick: WEDNESDAY (12)

Coming out of the same race behind Lim’s Bighorn. Had plenty of time to show ability but isn’t showing much improvement. He’s had a lot of racing and a recent trial which was moderate. Gets a great barrier.

RACE 4

1st Pick: ERUPTION (3)

Brings some nice form lines including strong runs behind Star North, Strike Gold and Aniki. All very prominent types and he can find the front here. Trialed in good order last week.

2nd Pick: SUPER CONVINCE (4)

Does his best racing at this course and distance including two wins and three minor placings from nine starts. He will settle back and hit the line late.

3rd Pick: CHOSEN (2)

Former Brazilian galloper who is on debut here. Has won a trial in 61.11 and looks set to run a big race here. These South American bred gallopers do well here.

4th Pick: NATURE CHIEF (5)

Turned those minor placings into a well-deserved win last start at class five level and must do against tougher opposition but continues to improve. Should show good early speed.

RACE 5

1st Pick: ROYAL COMMISSION (2)

He is an exciting 3yo with a great form (5-1-0-2). He won well in open maiden grade last start in a good time and has been ticking over nicely, winning a trial in okay time. Steps up to class 5 but finds a weaker field. Needs luck from the wide alley.

2nd Pick: RED MANED (9)

He went okay last time out leading up the field, stuck on gamely but faded late. He didn’t disgrace in his last run and is right in this. If connections want to lead or sit behind the pace it can only help his chances. Finds an easier race and good barrier, might see support late in betting.

3rd Pick: BIONICS (7)

Puzzling performance last start, had every chance during the run and just wobbled about late, might need another horse to drag him into the race but has a lot of race experience and will be prominent early from one of the inside gates.

4th Pick: GOLDEN DASH (5)

He last two performances have been okay and has some good form on the poly track compared to a few of the other fancied chances in this. Will be the likely leader and hard to run down. Good value play and can surprise.

RACE 6

1st Pick: JULY (8)

He ran a great second in maiden grade last start on the poly track and got a lot of favors sitting behind the leader and just peaked on his run. That was his best performance so far and should take naturally improvement. A lightly raced 3yo yet to show his best.

2nd Pick: STRONG ACE (4)

Been around the placings a couple of times from his 22 starts, dropped back down to 1200m last start and ran a fair race. Has a good record on the poly surface over this distance and should look to come across from the gate. Okay.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC SCOUT (3)

He preps up with a couple of trials each time before he runs, recent performances haven’t been too encouraging but likes to be up on speed and can shoot across from the outside alley. Needs luck.

4th Pick: OTAHUHU (2)

Not disgraced from his four starts, can be up on pace and should get a good run from barrier five. He has been beaten by some handy youngsters (Starboy, Auspicious King) who have gone on with it. Can be a danger, watch betting.

RACE 7

1st Pick: GAMELY (1)

Goes well in class 5, form has been consistent and should continue to be a danger in this grade. Gets a gun barrier draw but will need to bounce back from his fourth behind the impressive Pacific Charm, who’s come out and won on the poly track a week later.

2nd Pick: STAR VICTORY (5)

Career highlight last start with an impressive win from a dominant front running display. Instructions were to ride more forward, and it suited the 5yo. Could be the speed influencer again from barrier five.

3rd Pick: BOSS HENG HENG (9)

Has some expectation of improving from last starts performance finishing third behind Star Victory, was caught wide, raced keenly, and boxed on well. Watch betting.

4th Pick: BIG DAY (10)

The 7yo has some ability, won a race four starts back with plenty of merit off a hot speed and got too far back in the same race behind Star Victory. He can upset at his very best but will need a genuine speed.

RACE 8

1st Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (4)

Talented youngster who is looking to make it four wins and stay undefeated here first up since November. Has three trials under his belt and should be the one to beat here.

2nd Pick: PER INCROWN (6)

Has been rocketing home from the tail at his last two wins recording very slick sectionals to score late. Watch for him late again and is thriving around this mark.

3rd Pick: REIGNITE (1)

Gets back to class four where his last win was recorded back in November over this course and distance where he has won four of his five career wins.

4th Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (10)

Has been spacing his rivals in class five at his last two wins and broke a class record in doing so two runs back. Has really turned a corner lately and can prove himself here.

RACE 9

1st Pick: PACIFIC BEAUTY (3)

Scored a nice win from a well-timed ride by Jaden Lloyd on the Poly track last start beating Nineoneone who has since placed after that run. Brings positive form here.

2nd Pick: FORT MUSTANG (4)

If he can find the front and get sectionals to suit him, he can be the surprise runner here. Has won at this course and distance in the past and looks an each way play.

3rd Pick: NAVY SEALS (7)

Scored a nice win at huge odds two starts ago over 1800m. Backed it up with a solid minor placing on the 17th and is racing consistently at this level.

4th Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (1)

Looked to be a nice three-year-old when he arrived but his form has dropped off over the last eight months. This is his first go at class five and will appreciate the sharp drop-in class.

RACE 10

1st Pick: LIM'S BESTBREAKER (1)

Drove up the inside fence to score in a head bobbing duel where he beat Mesmerizing who lines up again here. Has since had a quiet trial and rates well here.

2nd Pick: RODA ROBOT (3)

Got back into winning form last start with a well-timed ride. This is the right sort of race to make it back-to-back wins for our leading stable.

3rd Pick: MESMERIZING (2)

Likes to get out and get rolling up front. If he is able to get the sectionals to suit him, he will give this field a shake. Stripping fitter with two runs under his belt this preparation.

4th Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (5)

Has been racing around shorter trips on the Poly track his last couple of outings including a nice third last start. Has good course and distance stats and watch for support.

RACE 11

1st Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (4)

Talented type who has continued to improve in his short career. He has only missed one top three placing from seven starts and looked sharp in a trial last week.

2nd Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (1)

Heavily supported in betting and proved the support right when winning by half a length over this course and distance. Can sit forward and back making him very adaptable.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (5)

Comes out of that race where Always Together scored a few weeks back. Just has the one win to his name at class five level but has strong minor placings at this level.

4th Pick: SILVER DRAGON (7)

Came from well behind to score by a neck at class five last run to record his second career win. Ran good time and can take the next step up here.