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Trainer Daniel Meagher may well have a promising sort under his roof in Lim’s Dream going with the way the three-year-old thumped his rivals in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1100m on Polytrack on Friday.
Ridden with great confidence in the lead by apprentice jockey Syahir Abdul, the Duporth three-year-old had the race all parcelled up as early as the halfway point.
Fulife Brilliance (Benny Woodworth) showed some cheek all the way through by staying within whiffing distance of the $9 hotpot, but was left chasing shadows the moment Syahir stepped on the gas.
LIM's DREAM went on to space his rivals with a contempt that speaks volumes about a potential that had already been showcased at his earlier races.
He even earned a ticket to the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on April 5. Unfortunately, he finished out of the placings after enduring a torrid trip out wide that day, and came back lame.
While Lim's Dream was by far the best horse in the race on Friday, the Elite Performance Stable-owned Fulife Brilliance put in a vastly-improved performance following his debut ninth. The Argentinian-bred three-year-old by Van Nistelrooy held on gamely for second place a gap of five lengths away, half-a-length clear of last-start winner Vulcan (John Powell).
The winning time was 1min 5.04secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
Meagher was trying to keep a lid on things after that third dominant win (he recorded his two previous wins by big margins as well – an aggregate of over 13 lengths for all three) from Lim's Dream in only eight starts, especially after high praise had already been bandied around before Friday's romp.
"(Former jockey and now his assistant-trainer) Danny (Beasley) got off him one morning and told me he could become a Class 1 horse," said the Australian handler.
"The young fella (Syahir) rode him beautifully. He rated him very well.
"His barrier trial last week (June 27) was outstanding. He finished fourth behind Aramco and War Affair.
"He's had a few issues. That's why I keep him spaced in his runs.
"It's my father (John Meagher) and Chris (brother) who pre-trained him in Melbourne. They've done a good job with him."
Syahir said Lim's Dream, on whom he now boasts a 100% record having won on him at his only other association (Class 4 race over 1200m on March 29), was a horse that gives his best when left alone.
"It's the second time I ride him and I've won on him on both occasions," said the Singaporean apprentice jockey.
"This horse has a lot of potential. He's got speed and he does everything by himself.
"You don't have to do too much with him. You just let him stride without overdoing things.
"Thank you to Daniel Meagher and the owner for putting me on. This year has been great to me."
With that 11th win, Syahir leaps to the second place to sit behind current leader Wong Chin Chuen (16 wins), who has, however, turned senior from this week.
