Vlad Duric has regained the plum ride on Lion City Cup winner Lim’s Cruiser.
The current leading jockey rode the Casino Prince five-year-old in a barrier trial on Tuesday, finishing a pleasing second to Super Winner (Derreck David).
Duric last rode Lim’s Cruiser 10 months ago when third in a Class 3 race. The Australian heavyweight jockey was aboard at all his previous five starts, striking a fruitful association with a record of three wins and two seconds.
Vlad Duric and Lim's Cruiser combined for three wins last year, picture Singapore Turf Club
Unfortunately, he had to give way to lighter jockeys when trainer Stephen Gray ran Lim’s Cruiser in two feature handicaps, the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) and the Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint (1200m).
On both occasions, the replacement riders given the nod made the most of the opportunity – Hong Kong-based Mauritian jockey Karis Teetan in the EW Barker and Danny Beasley (now retired) in the Rocket Man Sprint.
Connections then decided to stick to Beasley, who doubled up in the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) three weeks later. It was a case of why change a rider who has won two lucrative Group races on a horse.
Beasley stayed on in the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge. Even though the Lim’s Stable-owned galloper did not win any of the three Legs, he was not disgraced.
Now that Beasley has recently decided to switch to a stable supervisor job with trainer Daniel Meagher, the steering job on Lim’s Cruiser has become available again. Duric being the other rider who knows him the best was a logical choice.
“It’s great to get another chance to ride Lim’s Cruiser,” said Duric.
“I know it’s a cliché, but it feels like he’s come back stronger and fitter after his break. He trialled very well this morning.
“I rode him early doors and I’ve always had a high opinion of him. Unfortunately I couldn’t make the weight in the Group races and had to give up the ride.
“But after Danny retired, the ride became available again and Steve approached me for the ride.”
Lim’s Cruiser is making his racing comeback in the Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) on September 10, and is expected to feature among a stellar line-up. Debt Collector, Countofmontecristo, Alibi, Elite Excalibur are some of the top guns expected to face the starter in the Jumbo Jet Trophy as well.
“It’s going to be a very hot Jumbo Jet Trophy, probably the race of the year,” said Duric.
“Alibi is a horse I know well, too and there is probably only one length between the two, but I’m very excited to ride Lim’s Cruiser again.”
