Singapore Turf Club
After local riders hogged the first three races on the card, Troy See, the current leader of the pack, would not be outdone when he kept the hot run going with Lim’s Rhythm at Kranji on Sunday.
See, who has been associated with the powerful Lim’s Stable in recent months, gave the home team another reason to cheer about with the previously winless Lim’s Rhythm in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1800m.
Prepared by Mark Walker, the Rock ‘N’ Pop four-year-old had gone around 14 times without joy before, even if it has to be said that his last five or six runs have been indicative of an imminent breakthrough.
That day – or “birthday” as racing manager Mick Dittman called it with a huge sigh of relief at the lead-in – finally came on Sunday, aided in no small measure by a 10-out-of-10 ride from See.
See said he had done his homework by watching Lim’s Rhythm’s previous runs – and knew he would be sitting on the best horse in the 12-horse field.
“I’ve never ridden him before, but I’ve seen his past six runs, and he was knocking on the door. I rode him like he was the best horse in the race,” said the Singaporean rider.
“On the Long Course, I patiently waited for as long as I could. Amirul did show some cheek (on Larry) by pushing me out, but my horse was the best horse today.”
Walker said the writing had been on the wall for a victorious turn from the New Zealand-bred gelding for a while.
“He’s just got stronger and stronger physically. I think he needed the trip, too,” said the New Zealander.
“It’s good for Mr Lim (Siah Mong) who has been very patient with this horse.”
Though Lim’s Rhythm was at his maiden win, his previous two seconds and three thirds have helped push his stakes earnings past the $45,000 mark for Mr Lim. -STC