As Lim’s Showcase gathered speed through the pack, apprentice jockey Firdhaus Rafi had two thoughts crossing his mind.
“Not second like last year,” he muttered to himself as he remembered his agonisingly close second place aboard Lim’s Harvest at the first meeting in 2015.
“I need this win, badly,” was the second thing that was driving him to get it right this time.
The normally happy-go-lucky rider revealed later he had been depressed since splitting up with his long-time girlfriend, and a win was just the lift he needed to spark his zest for life again.
“I feel so much better now. I went through a depression after the break-up, but thanks to the support from Mr Steven Burridge, Saimee Jumaat and Richard Lim, I was able to keep it together,” said the former aeronautical student.
“I remember last year I finished second on another Lim’s horse and I was thinking ‘oh no, not second again’, but this time the horse kept going, and I was so happy when we won.
“The fast pace suited him. We were a little further behind than I had wanted and even though he was getting some kickback, he was still travelling nice and relaxed.
“He didn’t shy away at all and I must say he handled it very well. I listened to my boss’s instructions which were to work him slowly into the race.
“I woke him up with the stick once and in the last bit, I just rode him hands and heels and he did a good job to get there on time. I seldom work him, but I know he’s a very nice horse.
“I'd also like to thank Mr Lim Siah Mong for supporting me and putting me on their horse.”
Burridge, who was enjoying a terrific start to the new year, having already saddled another Lim’s winner earlier, Lim’s Sincere, said Lim's Showcase was a horse with plenty of upsides. The 2010 Singapore champion trainer later scored a hat-trick of wins with Anonymous (John Sundradas) in the last race to become the first leader of the new season.
“They went hard early and that worked out well for us. He (Lim's Showcase) got home very well,” said the Australian handler.
“He’s put it together very well though he’s still learning what racing is all about. He’s a nice horse.”
Lim’s Showcase ($51), who at some stage figured among the more promising two-year-olds last year, has now recorded two wins from five starts after that impressive late winning surge in the $80,000 Manoel Nunes Stakes, a Class 3 Division 2 race over 1100m. The three-year-old by Showcasing has taken home stakes earnings nearing the $100,000 mark for former multiple champion owner Lim’s Stable.
Things did not pan out as expected for odds-on favourite Speedy Dragon (Manoel Nunes) who had to be bustled up to overcome a tardy getaway and though he railed through to catch up with Nova Warrior (Zuriman Zulkifli), he started to overrace a touch and the wheels did come off in the home straight after such a tough trip.
To be fair, he did stick on well to keep third place a short head away from Professor X (Oscar Chavez) who had every chance but just could not hold off the superior turn of foot of Lim's Showcase.
