Promising three-year-old Lim’s Rally shed his maiden status at his second start for a highly symbolic win for both trainer and owner on Sunday.
The $13 favourite’s impressive first career win in the $75,000 Flax 2012 Stakes, a Restricted Maiden race over 1200m, gave comeback owner, the Lim’s Stable their first victory at Kranji after a three-year hiatus and also trainer Leticia Dragon her first success since the passing of her father, ex-Kranji trainer Douglas Dragon on September 25.
The son of O’Reilly did actually make his Kranji debut on September 28, one day before Dragon’s funeral, but there was to be no fairytale victory as he could only run fourth in a Polytrack dash over 1000m.
Dragon had not saddled a winner since his father’s passing, but Lim’s Rally’s comfortable two-length win from Great Sun (Corey Brown) was the much-needed salutary win she needed to give a nod skywards, not to mention wins had eluded the third-season trainer since August 3 with Sacred Prince.
“I’d like to dedicate that win to my dad and my mum. I’m sure dad was up there watching and giving that little extra push to the horse,” said Dragon, who was assistant-trainer to her father for four years.
“I’m very happy for the owner as well, Mr Lim Siah Mong as this is his first win since he and his partners made their comeback in Singapore. It’s been difficult times for both him and myself, but I’d like to thank Mr Lim for his patience and support.”
Dragon said Lim’s Rally is probably more of a turf horse, which to her largely accounts for his improvement from his debut run over Polytrack when he ran fourth to Sebas.
“He’s much improved after his first run. He also came on from his barrier trial (won last Tuesday),” said Dragon.
“I would say he had excuses at his first run and still ran a fair race, but he’s probably more suited by the turf.
“He put in a very good run today and seems to be a smart sprinter at this stage. Maybe in 12 months’ time, I may step him up in distance.”
Winning jockey Soo Khoon Beng, who has enjoyed a long and fruitful association with the Lim’s Stable, most notably his Raffles Cup win with Lim’s Objective in 2007, was glad he had reunited with the former multiple Singapore champion owner in the best possible way.
“I’m very happy to ride Mr Lim’s first winner since he came back. We go a long way,” said the Malaysian rider.
“This is a very nice horse, but he’s still very green. That’s probably why his run on Polytrack was not so good; turf is a lot better for him.”
