Lim’s Cruiser Gets Green Light for Royal Ascot Trip

[Wandering Eyes]

Lim’s Cruiser (Aus) (Casino Prince {Aus}), a close second as the favourite in the Lion City Cup at Kranji May 26, is set to make his second overseas trip for the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. (1200m) on the final day of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting Saturday, June 22.

Singapore’s two-time champion sprinter, Lim’s Cruiser won two of his three starts at home last season, including a successful defence of his title in the Lion City Cup and was far from embarrassed when seventh, beaten just 3 1/2 lengths, behind Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in December’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, his first trip away from Singapore. The Stephen Gray trainee returned to action with a solid runner-up effort in the May 5 Rocket Man Sprint when giving 15 pounds to boom 3-year-old Bold Thruster (Aus) (Turffontein {Aus}) (video) and was just outfinished by Aramco (Aus) (Magic Albert {Aus}) when looking for the Lion City three-peat last weekend (video).

“It’s always been my dream to have horses good enough to take on overseas horses,” Gray said. “That’s what it’s all about, represent Singapore on the international stage, people forget it’s a sport and not always about the punting side. Lim’s Cruiser is one such horse who deserves to have a shot. It’ll be an honour for Mr Lim (Siah Mong), a great supporter of racing for so many years, and myself to have a horse run at Ascot.

The conditioner added, “There was a doubt after he ran second on Saturday. I’ve been thinking what I did wrong, even if he actually pulled up better than his first-up run in the Rocket Man Sprint, which took the edge off him. [Racing manager Mick Dittman] told me if we don’t venture and have a crack, we’d die wondering.”

Gray said Lim’s Cruiser, who is set to depart Singapore June 8, will take up temporary residence in the Newmarket yard of trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.

 

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