3 minute read

With one notable exception, the Singapore Turf Club’s broadcast teams thought nominal favourite Lim’s Saltoro will be the horse to beat in the $400,000 Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) on Sunday.

But one man from across the Causeway, Suresh Ragavan, has tipped a 'minor upset' with Bestseller as his top pick in the iconic feature race for four-year-olds.

'Minor' being the operative word, given Bestseller ran a short head to Lim's Saltoro in the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) on 30 June, but nevertheless, it looked a bold call by the popular tipster.

"I thought he (Bestseller) ran exceptionally well in the Stewards' Cup when he almost nailed Lim's Saltoro," said Ragavan.

"So I expect a repeat of that run with the extra 200m making the difference.

"Apart from the two likely favourites, I think Lightning Strike can cause an upset. He has covered the distance twice with one win (in a Class 4 Division 1 race on 30 December) and one third (in a Class 3 race on 25 May) and (jockey) Hugh Bowman can make the difference at this assignment."

We will start the Lim's Saltoro bandwagon with the man who will call the action for the English audience, Scott Bailey; who also throws in a decent value tip for good measure.

"Lim's Saltoro  is just an ever-improving type who shows the qualities of a good racehorse," explained the ex-jockey turned race caller.

"It was a tough win in the Stewards' Cup where I had my doubts at the mile, but if anything, he was very strong at that trip and don't see the 1800m too much of a concern.

"My roughie for the race is Hole In One to fill a top-four placing. I thought his run was electric in the Stewards' Cup when he flew home to run fifth.

"First (Lim's Saltoro) and second (Bestseller) in the Stewards' Cup sat third and fourth in the running so they had great runs, but Hole In One was hitting the line better than anything and you should get good odds about him."

Ethan Mills not only thought Lim's Saltoro can win on Sunday, but is a horse that can make a mark later in the season.

"Lim's Saltoro is the best horse in the race," said Mills.

"He's drawn wide (11) but he can push and cross without too many issues. I think we can follow him to even bigger races in the coming months.

"My roughie is Lightning Strike. He will peak on Singapore Derby day and the whole team has been waiting for this race. I'm confident Hugh Bowman will ride him back and there will be a genuine tempo in this race, which he (Lightning Strike) will appreciate.

"He wasn't beaten too far (one-and-a-half lengths away in fourth) when he ran on in the Stewards' Cup and can run above his rating (69) in this race."

Kew Lee Teng, who will call the winner over the line for the Chinese audience, agreed with Mills on both the winner and the danger.

"I will still stick with Lim's Saltoro," said the only female on the broadcast teams.

"I believe that he is still the best among those four-year-olds based on his terrific performance last start and I think he can handle the 1800m as well.

"Lightning Strike might surprise us with his proven record over 1800m previously."

Raymond Yong and Collin Fan both thought the Stewards' Cup's forecast of Lim's Saltoro and Bestseller will pay dividends again.

"Lim's Saltoro is the best four-year-old in Singapore," said Yong.

"He can be ridden off the pace and still has such a powerful turn of foot.

"The danger is Bestseller. He has won at Group level over 1700m (in the Group 3 Committee's Prize on 9 March) and that experience will help."

"Lim's Saltoro can win all three four-year-old Group races," said Fan.

"He will make history before the end of local racing.

"Bestseller enjoyed his last run and I was happy with Duric's riding style."

As for me, I'm sticking with the obvious in what will be the last running of the Singapore Derby.

You can try to find something to beat Lim's Saltoro but at the end of the day, the only horse that has got the better of the eight-time winner is two-time Singapore Horse of the Year, Lim's Kosciuszko. That form more than holds up, but I will be watching Makin and jockey Manoel Nunes very closely.

From barrier one, Nunes can show why he is a five-time Singapore Champion jockey and a two-time Singapore Derby winner.