A change of gear proved to be a masterstroke for Lim’s Regard in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1600m on Sunday.
With the Red Giant four-year-old a little headstrong when leading at recent starts, trainer Mark Walker, in consultation with connections, decided they would lose the blinkers this time around.
The upshot was a 13th win for the 2017 Singapore champion trainer, who is steadily climbing his way back to the place where he dominated proceedings last year. He currently sits in fourth spot, three winners behind leader Steven Burridge.
Lim's Regard (Vlad Duric) collars Chocolats (John Powell) close home in Race 5, picture Singapore Turf Club
Stalking race-leader and favourite Chocolats (John Powell) from the start, Lim’s Regard (Vlad Duric) took the race by the scruff of the neck once the pair cornered for the judge.
In a scene reminiscent of the previous when the same two jockeys fought hammer and tongs for most of the Kranji straight (Sattar just gained the verdict for Duric over Powell’s Kiss Your Song), Chocolats tried to lift back up on the inside, but unfortunately for Powell and his fans, they had to again concede defeat to Duric, who drove Lim’s Regard ($20) hard inside the last 100 yards for a half-length win over Chocolats.
But the run of the race had to be Mr Scorsese’s (Noh Senari) who flew home when it was all over to settle for third place another three parts of a length away. The winning time was 1min 35.93secs for the 1600m on the Short Course.
“He was going a bit keen at his recent races. I spoke to Mick Dittman (racing manager) and we decided to take the blinkers off,” said Walker.
“We were hoping another horse would do the donkey work. He got a great ride from Vlad, JP also gave the other horse a great ride, but my horse got the job done today.
“He’s a horse who should get 1 ¼ mile. I’ll have a chat with Mr Lim (Siah Mong of Lim’s Stable) and we will probably give him a freshen-up now.”
Duric said it was the pre-race battle plan to sit in a one-one position, and not leave his challenge too late.
“We were able to sit outside the leader, and he was relaxed throughout,” said the leading jockey.
“He jumped fresh and was able to back off the leader. I knew I had to attack John early as his horse had a pretty soft lead.”
Lim’s Regard has now taken his record to three wins and two seconds from 12 starts for stakes earnings past the $160,000 mark for the Lim’s Stable.
