Lim's Rhythm Rocks for Mark

The Singapore Turf Club reports on Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker's latest winner...

After local riders hogged the first three races on the card, Troy See, the current leader of the pack, would not be outdone when he kept the hot run going with Lim's Rhythm in Race 4 on Sunday.

Fellow rookies Amirul Ismadi and Noh Senari had earlier saluted on Kate's Keeper and Oculist respectively while the other race went to former two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey A'Isisuhairi Kasim (Silver Way).

See, who has been associated with the powerful Lim's Stable in recent months, gave the home team another reason to cheer about with the previously winless Lim's Rhythm in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1800m. That was his fifth success in the blue and yellow stars silks.

Prepared by Mark Walker, the Rock ‘N' Pop four-year-old had gone around 14 times without joy before, even if it has to be said that his last five or six runs have been indicative of an imminent breakthrough.

That day - or “birthday” as racing manager Mick Dittman called it with a huge sigh of relief at the lead-in - finally came on Sunday, aided in no small measure by a 10-out-of-10 ride from See.

Settled into a smothered run behind the leading bunch spearheaded by Mr Rockwell (Iskandar Rosman), Lim's Rhythm bided his time before being launched on a sustained run from the 300m. Well ridden by See, he wore down the fighting duo of Mr Rockwell and Ordos Legend (Glen Boss), lunging at the line first with a neck to spare from Ordos Legend.

All credit to Mr Rockwell, who after doing the bullocking work from a wide alley to dictate terms, bravely withstood the challenges inside the last furlong before caving in late to run third another neck away. The winning time was 1min 48.61secs for the 1800m on the Long Course.

See said he had done his homework by watching Lim's Rhythm's previous runs - and knew he would be sitting on the best horse in the 12-horse field.

“I've never ridden him before, but I've seen his past six runs, and he was knocking on the door. I rode him like he was the best horse in the race,” said the Singaporean rider.

“On the Long Course, I patiently waited for as long as I could. Amirul did show some cheek (on Larry) by pushing me out, but my horse was the best horse today.”

Walker said the writing had been on the wall for a victorious turn from the New Zealand-bred gelding for a while.

“He's just got stronger and stronger physically. I think he needed the trip, too,” said the New Zealander.

“It's good for Mr Lim (Siah Mong) who has been very patient with this horse.”

Though Lim's Rhythm was at his maiden win, his previous two seconds and three thirds have helped push his stakes earnings past the $45,000 mark for Mr Lim.