Consistent performer Lim’s Rally overcame a wide alley to make it back-to-back wins courtesy of a smart ride from Corey Brown on Friday night.
The first big task that the Australian achieved to set the tone for the winning ride was to tuck the O’Reilly four-year-old into a midfield spot with cover from his wide gate.
Once that thorny part was over, the next job was to keep tabs on one of his main threats, Lim's Rally’s stablemate Jay Eff Express (Manoel Nunes) who was on his inside locked away on the fence.
That was where the $14 favourite would stay for the rest of the race.
At the 700m, Brown switched out wide to go around horses, and duly outsmarted Nunes, who soon got caught behind the eight-ball to turn into the hard-luck story of the race.
Brown sealed the perfect ride by waiting for as long as possible before pushing the button. Knowing that Lim’s Rally ($24) has a short acceleration, he was not such in a hurry to pop the question, sitting pretty in the saddle and cuddling his mount along while Flak Jacket and Rafaello (Nooresh Juglall) were being ridden for dear life on his inside, at the same time hemming Jay Eff Express up on the inside.
Once Brown gave a shake of the reins at the 200m mark, Lim’s Rally burst forth to shoot past Flak Jacket though he could not really pull away, as is the common streak of horses who don’t have an electric turn of foot that leaves rivals in their dust, but one which rather needs to be timed to perfection.
A last-start winner over 1400m, Lim’s Rally saluted by three parts of a length from Flak Jacket with Rafaello third another 1 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 10.28secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.
“He drew a bad gate and there were some concerns over him coming back to 1400m from 1200m,” said Brown.
“There was no speed on paper and we were quite concerned about that as we discussed with the owners (Lim’s Stable) and Micky Dittman (racing manager).
“I was able to get him in a lovely spot but the speed was still not there. I wanted to get around horses before Manoel who was on the fence on Jay Eff Express.
“I was able to do that around the home turn and when we straightened up, I sat and sat for as long as I could as he’s got only a short sharp dash.
“You can’t quicken too soon with him, but once I went for him, he put it away really good.”
Brown joked he had forgotten what to do as he weighed in and was getting a mike shoved under his nose at the post-race interviews.
“What do I do now? I forgot what to say,” he joked to race presenter Gareth Pepper.
“I haven’t had a winner for three meetings (last was Zeus on March 25). That’s the way it is at times.”
Burridge said Lim’s Rally was a horse with plenty of upsides but luck was not always his strongest ally.
“He’s been a bit unlucky at four or five starts but he’s also won five and now six races,” said the Australian handler.
“Corey rode him a treat. From the wide draw, he was able to box-seat and they were cruising. He had no weight on his back and he did a great job.”
Lim’s Rally has been a handy moneyspinner for the Lim’s Stable having already put more than $345,000 in the bank.
