Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker was noticeably absent at the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge on Friday, but may have found himself a late ticket with impressive winner Lim’s Zoom two days later.
Starting at short $8 odds in Sunday’s $85,000 Emperor Max 2016 Stakes, a Restricted Maiden race over 1200m, the son of Zacinto was still very green, wobbling in and out when jockey Vlad Duric peeled him off the backs of the fighting pair of Hun Yeang Road (Azhar Ismail) and Lonhro Gold (Michael Rodd) towards clear galloping room at the 300m mark.
But once Duric had his wayward mount on an even keel, Lonhro Gold, who had edged past Hun Yeang Road in the meantime, was left rooted to the spot as something “zoomed” past in the twinkle of an eye.
Putting in the big bounds, Lim's Zoom skipped clear to gap Lonhro Gold by just under five lengths with Hun Yeang Road hanging on to third place another half-length away. The winning time was 1min 10.38secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.
“He’s still raw and immature, mentally and physically, but I think he’s got a really nice future,” said Walker.
“I will have a chat with Mr Lim (Siah Mong) about the Guineas. It’s a million dollar race after all.
“He won’t go for the second Leg over 1400m. Maybe a Class 4 race will fit him, and if he has one more win under the belt, you never know.”
The second Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge is the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on April 22 while the third and final Leg is the $1 million Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 26.
A two-time barrier trial winner in New Zealand, Lim’s Zoom has really thrived since his arrival at Kranji last August. On debut in February, he ran an encouraging third before improving by one spot second-up one month later.
“This horse has massive strides. He lengthened up really well today,” said Duric.
“He still doesn’t quite know how to put it down well. When he came out, he put it away quite well in the end.
“He will continue to improve from that run.”
With that maiden win, Lim’s Zoom has now chalked up around $70,000 in stakes earnings for the Lim’s Stable.
“Mr Lim is a terrific owner to work with. He gives everyone a few horses and he is great to deal with,” said Walker.
