Singapore gallopers set to kick-off at Caulfield races

Dan Meagher has opted to unveil highly rated Singapore import Lim’s Saltoro in a benchmark 100 race over 1400m at Caulfield this Saturday instead of chasing Group 1 glory in the The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.

Meagher had also nominated Lim’s Kosciuszko for The Goodwood but is holding off on his return for now, while Lim’s Saltoro will get his first Australian run in Melbourne after an extensive preparation.

“He’s had three trials and jump-outs, and I took him away for two of them,” Meagher said.

“You have to remember he has not done that before, travelling and then racing so I thought it was pretty important for him to do that, and I think he got a lot of benefit out of it.

“He’s going super. He’s a very good horse and I have no doubt he will measure up here, but I just don’t know at what level.

“It’s a learning curve on Saturday. He’s got a great record, but where does that line up here.”

The gelding has already had a look around Caulfield, trialling at the track on April 10, and recently ran second in a jump-out at Moe.

“I trialled him at the Caulfield Heath, and he went terrific,” Meagher said.

“He’s had three goes at 1400 metres, for two wins and a second, and first-up after six months or so, I probably would have preferred 1200 or 1300 metres, but he’s had the trials, so we’ll see.”

Joining Lim’s Saltoro is stablemate Lim’s Ida, another Singapore transfer who previously raced under Steven Burridge’s care.

Meagher is eager to assess Lim’s Ida’s competitiveness on Australian soil before setting firmer plans.

“He’s an older horse that I need to place pretty well to win, but he seems to be going pretty well,” Meagher said.

“I haven’t got any gear on him. I want to see how he shapes up and then I’ll get serious with him.”

Lim’s Bighorn and Arentee are also set to represent the stable in a 1200m benchmark 84 event on the Caulfield program.