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Argentinian connection to Meagher's perfect Mother's Day present

3 minute read

A clever tactical change mapped out on Saturno Spring’s sole Argentinian victory proved to be the winning move on Sunday - and the perfect Mother’s Day present.

SATURNO SPRING winning the CLASS 4
SATURNO SPRING winning the CLASS 4 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

Dropped in a rearward spot at his six previous Kranji starts, the Argentinian-bred four-year-old was allowed a lot more rein out of the barriers when stepped up for the first time to his winning distance of 1600m in a $50,000 Class 4 race.

Jockey Danny Beasley and trainer Daniel Meagher plotted the switch to a more positive ride after they saw his all-the-way win in a mile race back home.

"With the step-up in trip to the mile, as he had won his only race over the mile in Argentina by leading, we thought he would naturally be more forward today," said Beasley.

"He landed in a forward spot by himself, he travelled very well and was switched off. In the straight, he quickened very nicely.

"I think he will get up to 2000m. That's when we will see the best of him."

Beasley certainly went into the race with a battle plan that looked to have been well rehearsed with Meagher.

The in-form Australian jockey made good use of the $16 favourite's inside alley to hold his spot on the fence but handed up the lead when Champagne Finale (Yusoff Fadzli) came whipping around from the first bend.

Mindful to not get hemmed in for too long, Beasley decided to pop off the rails at the 600m to go and eye-ball Champagne Finale as the run to the judge loomed up.

After a brief tussle, Saturno Spring lengthened up like a good thing as he went on to notch up his first Singapore victory, three lengths clear of the fast-finishing Gold Reward (Krisna Thangamani) who relegated the weakening Champagne Finale into third place another three-and-a-half lengths away.

A son of little-known sire US-bred Greenspring, Saturno Spring  registered the smart time of 1min 37.7secs for the Polytrack mile, only 0.25 second outside the course record of Leatherhead.

Meagher had an extra kick out of Saturno Spring's maiden Kranji win given it turned out to be a fitting Mother's Day present for his mother Ann Meagher.

"Mum and Dad have a share of the horse with Mr Lim (Siah Mong)," said Meagher.

"He had three runs in Argentina for one win at his first start, but he has taken a long time to settle in.

"We gelded him because he was so naughty. He has a lot of upsides, and could go on to become a genuine Class 3 horse.

"Danny gave him a beautiful confident ride."

Beasley kept up his red-hot form by going back-to-back in the next event, the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1700m, with $34 shot Lim's Rhythm for trainer David Kok, to bring up a riding treble after saluting earlier aboard debutant Everest (see previous report).

Interestingly, he scored on a horse whose name would lead most to beliveve he is raced by the Lim's Stable, but who is actually now owned by Kok (who did not change the name after the Rock 'N' Pop six-year-old was transferred to him), and conversely booted home a winner for the multiple Singapore champion owner without the usual Lim's prefix.

The big haul vaults Beasley into fourth place on 15 winners, right on the heels of the leading trio of Marc Lerner (18), Vlad Duric (17) and Louis-Philippe Beuzelin (16), all winners of one race apiece on Sunday.

Saturno Spring has now taken his stakes earnings to somewhere around the $35,000 mark for the Lim's Stable, who, though not common, do include other parties as shareholders at times, like Meagher's parents.

"Mr Lim needed to buy two horses, so I told Mum and Dad to get this one as it was cheaper (laughs)!" said Meagher.


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