Mick Dittman does not have a runner in the Dester Singapore Gold Cup this Sunday, but neither did he 16 years ago, a few weeks before the country’s biggest handicap event.
The former top Australian jockey saw John Meagher’s mare Kim Angel in the entries and thought he’d try his luck. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
The father of current first-year Kranji trainer Daniel Meagher looked at the champion rider scornfully and scoffed: “You can’t make 52kgs!”
Dittman retorted that he could, he would - and after some serious wasting, he did. The rest is history, Kim Angel won the 2000 Singapore Gold Cup from stablemate Le Rhone who was ridden by Shane Dye, another Sydney champion jockey, for a Meagher 1-2.
The Enforcer, as he was called owing to his unstinting use of the whip in a driving finish, has long hung up his boots, but Sunday’s 2200m showpiece has awakened the competitor in him.
More so when he has now been the leading owner Lim’s Stable’s racing manager for around 10 years now. The racing outfit’s Mr Lim Siah Mong is behind the Gold Cup’s new sponsor Dester beer through his Lubritrade company.
“It’s a pity we don’t have a runner in the Gold Cup. I remember winning that race for Johnny Meagher, gee she was a good mare,” recalled Dittman as he dug through the years.
“I didn’t have a ride in the Cup and when I asked Johnny about the mare, he thought I couldn’t ride at 52kgs. But I proved him wrong and we won the race. I got on at the right time!
“Now that Dester sponsors the race, I think we will go and look for a few stayers for this race next year.”
While Dittman and the Lim’s will watch the Gold Cup from the stands – with only the ceremony protocol to attend during the prize presentation, they will be keen players in the other feature prelude, the $350,000 Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) on Friday.
One of their most promising wards, Lim’s Cruiser, is the bottom weight in the handicap race and will carry the hopes of all concerned, except for trainer Stephen Gray, who famously added his name to the roll of honour two years ago with Born To Fly (unfortunately a scratching this year) on his 50th birthday, for a first hurrah.
Neither the Lim’s, Dittman as a jockey, and even less so, the jockey, first-time visitor, Hong Kong-based Mauritian jockey Karis Teetan, have ever won the EW Barker Trophy.
Dittman sounded bullish about the Casino Prince four-year-old’s chances, even if this will be the three-time winner’s stiffest test by far, postage-stamp load of 50kgs notwithstanding.
“The horse is in great form. He trialled beautifully with blinkers last Thursday and did 59.85 seconds,” he said.
“The light weight gives him a chance in such a race. He ran super the other day even if he was a bit stiff (beaten in third by Big Brother after getting checked in the home straight).
“He’s got a good draw in two, which will give him every chance. Karis flies in for the ride, he’s a very good jockey – Moreira is a little better, but he can ride, too.”
Dittman was of course referring to global phenomenon Joao Moreira, who along with Teetan, has been granted permission by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to ride at the EW Barker Trophy meeting. Moreira rides the other leading hope Alibi for trainer Michael Clements.
“It’s a nice betting race with many horses who’ve got very good chances. It’ll be an exciting race,” said Dittman.
