Trainer Lee Freedman did not hesitate to abort both Raffles Cup and Singapore Gold Cup plans for Lim’s Samurai after the emerging stayer suffered a minor injury at his last run.
It was revealed later on that the Japanese-bred’s encouraging first-up second to Poseidon in the Racing Guide Classic, a Kranji Stakes A race (1400m) on October 8 was not without ill-effects.
Lim's Samurai is the third major casualty to drop out of the Raffles Cup. War Affair and Infantry are two other high-profile horses who had to skip the race though injury.
“It’s very minor. It’s a slight stress to a ligament in the near fore,” said Freedman.
“We noticed some swelling on the next day after the race. He went straight down to the vet and it was confirmed there was a small tear to the ligament.
“As he’s a very smart horse, we will look after him, go with the patient approach and bring him back in work in six weeks’ time. The Raffles Cup is off and so is the Gold Cup as it will come up too soon.”
Freedman said the next focus for the Samurai Heart four-year-old – a four-time winner whose most notable effort probably came in defeat when second to Infantry in the Emirates Singapore Derby in July – would be next year.
“It’s unfortunate this has happened, but he’ll be back for races like the QEII Cup next year,” said the Australian Hall of Fame trainer who officially took over from nine-time Singapore champion trainer Laurie Laxon at the beginning of September.
Freedman will not be without a runner in the Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2200m), though.
“We have a good back-up in Chairman. He won a good race at his last start,” said Freedman of his recent BM74 over 2000m race winner who will run in Sunday’s Group 3 El Dorado Classic (2200m).
“He travelled relaxed and gave a good turn of foot. He quickened and was really strong to the line.
“He will stay the trip as he won over 2400m in Ireland. Alan Munro gets on well with him, and it’s all good as he can ride light.
“Whichever way the cookie crumbles, Chairman will get in at a low weight as he’s now on 70 points. The Gold Cup has been a good formula for the lighter weights, it tends to favour them.”
One horse who is now under Freedman’s care but who knows his way around two turns of the Kranji track is Valbuena, a solid closing third to McGregor in a Class 3 race over 1400m, first-up from an eight-month spell.
But Freedman is, however, not toying with any gilt-edged plans for the Darci Brahma eight-year-old.
“He was short of racing, but it was nice to get him back in form. He ran on very well,” said Freedman.
“He had a long break because of his joints, but that’s the thing about old horses, they can sometimes run well after a long break.”
