Trainer Laurie Laxon’s worries about Lim’s Shot being out of the handicap were quickly allayed after the grey posted a stout win from favourite Splinter in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1200m on Sunday.
The Singapore multiple-champion handler thought the Showcasing five-year-old would have to surpass himself to overcome a 56.5kgs impost while rising in class following a sterling win in Class 4 company three weeks ago.
Laxon’s concerns were not all that unfounded as the Lim’s Stable-owned grey, who had taken up the running from the start, looked like he would be put in the shade when Splinter (Vlad Duric) came upsides at the 300m.
Lim's Shot (Manoel Nunes) fends off Splinter (Vlad Duric) in Race 9, picture Singapore Turf Club
But with champion jockey Manoel Nunes regathering his reins in a bid to get Lim’s Shot ($22) cranking up for another gear, the tables were turned back around.
Splinter peaked on his run despite Duric’s frantic attempts as Lim’s Shot went on to regain the advantage by half-a-length. Dinghu Mountain (John Powell) finished third another 1 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 11.21secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.
“He’s not a bad horse at all,” said Laxon.
“He was not well off at the handicap, but he’s a good tough horse that reminds me of Magic City. They have the same running style, very gutsy.
“He will go through his grades for sure.”
Nunes jumped off saying that the now four-time winner was racing at the peak of his powers.
“He’s improving all the time. Well done to Laurie and (assistant-trainer) Shane (Ellis) for bringing him to the top of his game,” he said.
“At his last start, they put the blinkers on him and he smashed them. They left them on and he won again.”
With that fourth win from 12 starts, Lim’s Shot has now taken his stakes earnings past the $150,000 mark for the Lim’s Stable.
Laxon had a second runner in the race, Katagas (Matthew Poon), but after two encouraging runs from a spell, he went backwards with a seventh place this time around.
