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Former Aushorse Golden Horseshoe winner Lim’s Racer returned from bone chips surgery a brilliant winner on Sunday.
Unsighted since an unplaced run in a Class 4 race over 1200m in February, the Red Giant mare again reigned supreme in her customary on-the-pace style to make it barrier-to-box in the last race, the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1100m on Polytrack.
Ridden by star Hong Kong apprentice jockey Matthew Poon, Lim’s Racer, wearing earmuffs for the first time and pacifiers again, shot to the lead from her handy barrier before dropping anchor to catch her breath midrace.
Wonderful Knight (Benny Woodworth) and Grey Falcon (Manoel Nunes) made a line of three as they stayed in close attendance, but she always looked like she was being ridden on a piece of cotton.
When Poon went for the shillelagh in the home straight, Lim’s Racer ($25) responded with a potent acceleration that left Wonderful Knight standing, but not quite Grey Falcon who persevered with his challenge on the outside.
Race-favourite The Cosmos (Zawari Razali) was within striking distance as well, but Lim's Racer never showed any letting up as she went on to salute the judge by 1 ¼ lengths from Grey Falcon with The Cosmos third another 1 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 4.94secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
Winning trainer Steven Burridge was delighted his former juvenile champion (2016) has not lost her qualities after the operation, even if he thought the 2016 Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) winner might have needed the run.
“She’s always been a high-quality filly, but you never know what can happen after a chip operation,” said the Australian handler.
“You cannot train her 100% as you would train another horse. I thought she would be underdone, but hoping her class would see her through.
“You can only hope you’ve done enough for her to run a good race, and she would not be too taxed. I was glad to see her begin well as she bombed the start once (Group 3 Juvenile Championship).”
Burridge also praised the copybook ride from Poon, who said he had nothing but good vibes after he got acquainted with her in a gallop.
“I was told she had an injury, but when I galloped her, she felt normal. I was quite confident with her,” said Poon who was sealing off his lightning two-week Kranji stay on a winning note – his sixth in 26 rides (read other report).
“She jumped quickly and I gradually let her stride to the front. Once she got going again in the straight, she was too good.”
The win brought up a perfect afternoon for Burridge as his only other runner Lucky Justice came with a sustained run under Glen Boss to land the chocolates in the $60,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1600m.
“It’s been a good day at the office. The horses are running well these days,” said Burridge.
“We went through a bit of a quiet time, but things have really picked up since, and let’s just hope it stays that way.”
With that third win from seven starts, Lim’s Racer has now taken her prizemoney record past the $250,000 mark for the Lim’s Stable.