Lim’s Saltoro (Marc Lerner, on the inside) holds off Makin (Manoel Nunes) to win the Group 1 Singapore Derby (Pic-STC)
The new star of Singapore racing, Lim’s Saltoro, did not disappoint his connections and supporters after he fought hard to win the SG$400 000 Gr1 Singapore Derby on Sunday.
History was made for the mighty Lim’s Stable, whose famous blue and yellow star silks dominated the Group races in Singapore over the last few years, trainer Daniel Meagher and jockey Marc Lerner.
That win also meant the son of Shamexpress had made a complete sweep of the three Group races for four-year-olds at Kranji after he also won the Gr3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on 9 June and the Gr2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 30 June.
On the back of those Group wins, Lim’s Saltoro was sent out the favourite in the feature race and any thought of the wide barrier 11 being an issue were quickly put to bed after Lerner crossed to lead with little fuss in the backstraight.
Galaxy Bar (Tyler Schiller) and Aniki (Ruan Maia) followed in second and third behind the leader while Hole In One (Bernardo Pinheiro) joined the on-pace party at the 900m after being caught wide early from barrier nine.
Meanwhile, Bestseller (Vlad Duric) sat in the perfect position handy with cover while jockey Manoel Nunes used gate one to Makin’s advantage to settle in midfield with cover. Second favourite Lightning Strike (Hugh Bowman) was eased off at the rear of the field.
When things got serious upon turning for home, Lim’s Saltoro easily saw off the early challengers after he put two lengths on Hole In One, Bestseller and Aniki, but it was Makin who loomed the danger with a big run on the rails at the 300m.
In fact, it looked like the momentum was on Makin’s side at the 200m, but the ‘bulldog’ Lim’s Saltoro refused to lie down. Under hard riding by Lerner, Lim’s Saltoro held off Makin strongly before the latter went down by a head at the finish.
The pair’s heroics befitted the occasion and was also amplified by the big three-and-a-quarter length margin from a gallant Hole In One who ran third, while Bestseller finished a neck back in fourth.
The victorious trio proudly showing off their silverware onstage: (from left) owner Mr Lim Siah Mong, jockey Marc Lerner and trainer Daniel Meagher (Pic – STC)
The winning time was 1 min 47.36secs for the 1800m on the Long Course. Lim’s Saltoro’s first Group 1 win and eight other wins in 10 starts took his earnings to a tick under SG$570 000 for his connections.
But the prizemoney was insignificant compared to the enormity of winning the final running of the Singapore Derby for Meagher.
“I don’t think this (Singapore Derby) win has sunk in yet,” said Meagher, who scored a four-timer on Sunday and his three other wins were with Sweet and Sour in the Golden Monkey 2023 Stakes, a Class 5 Division 1 race over 1200m, Always Together in the Hard Too Think 2021 Stakes, a Class 3 race over 1400m and Pacific Beauty in the Jupiter Gold 2018 Stakes, a Class 5 race over 1800m.
“It was always going to be special to win the last (Singapore) Derby and be part of Singapore history, but it’s probably something I will reflect on when it (racing in Singapore) ends (on 5 October).
“But to win it for (owner) Mr Lim (Siah Mong) is an honour. He’s won it three times before I think (Lim’s Prestige in 2007, Top Spin in 2008 and Lim’s Kosciuszko in 2022), but I could tell it meant a lot to him today. That meant a lot to me.
“I thought Marc took the initiative from the wide gate and it was a winning move early. When he found the fence, I knew we would be hard to beat.
“But in saying that, I thought Makin was impressive. (Trainer) Steven (Burridge) has done an amazing job with him and he fought hard to the end.
“But our boy is a fighter and I can’t thank my staff enough for the job they do. A real team effort today.”
Lerner was quick to praise both Lim’s Saltoro and Meagher after a memorable Singapore Derby win.
“A good horse and a good trainer too,” said Lerner, who previously won the Singapore Derby on Hard Too Think three years ago.
“Seriously, Lim’s Saltoro means a lot to me as I’ve ridden him from the beginning and he’s not the easiest horse to deal with.
“He only won his (Open) Maiden (race) in September last year, so to come this far in less than 12 months, the credit goes to Daniel and his team.
“I rode the race today to suit our horse and didn’t worry so much as what went on around me.
“I wanted to find the rail as I thought that would be very beneficial because I knew that Vlad and Manoel would take me on at some stage.
“So I controlled the race from the front and while Manoel came very fast at me and hit the lead at some stage, I didn’t panic.
“I hadn’t gone for my horse yet and I knew he’s a fighter, so I was still very confident in the final 200m.
“Makin probably hit the wall late and my horse lifted. He just knows how to win.”
