Few horses carried more promise through the twilight of Singapore racing than Lim’s Saltoro, and the former Kranji star will begin another Australian campaign in Saturday’s Group 3 Behemoth Stakes at Morphettville.
The seven-year-old became one of the final headline performers of the Lion City era, winning 10 of his 13 Singapore starts and progressing from maiden company to the country’s biggest races in little more than a year.
His rise culminated in a memorable 2024 campaign that included victories in the Singapore Derby and Raffles Cup. He also completed Singapore’s Four-Year-Old Triple Crown, having earlier landed the Silver Bowl and Stewards’ Cup on his way towards Derby success.
There was almost one final Group 1 triumph when racing at Kranji came to an end in October 2024. Lim’s Saltoro looked set to claim the Grand Singapore Gold Cup before Smart Star produced a powerful late finish to defeat him narrowly in the final race staged at the historic venue.
That performance underlined his quality and versatility. While often considered among Singapore’s emerging middle-distance and staying prospects, Lim’s Saltoro had already shown enough speed to win four times over 1200 metres and twice over 1400 metres.
The son of Shamexpress followed trainer Dan Meagher to Australia but has been restricted to just four starts since leaving Singapore.
His first three appearances provided encouragement, beginning with a fifth behind Stradbroke winner War Machine over 1400 metres at Caulfield before finishing fourth over 1600 metres at the same venue.
His best Australian performance came when he went within 0.3 lengths of Yellow Sam over 1440 metres on soft ground in June 2025. However, he was subsequently eased down when finishing a distant last at Caulfield and has not raced since.
More than a year later, Meagher has taken a patient approach with his return. Lim’s Saltoro has been given four jump-outs since June, finishing runner-up in his two most recent 900-metre hit-outs at Mornington.
Meagher believes the weight-for-age conditions of the Behemoth Stakes make it a suitable place to begin, rather than asking the gelding to carry a significant weight against improving opposition in benchmark company.
“It just looked a good starting point,” Meagher said.
“It’s a Group 3 and it’s weight-for-age, so that kind of suits him. If he ran in a benchmark race, he’d be carrying top weight and giving weight to probably a lot of younger, progressive horses.
“I just wanted to kick him off somewhere where it is a little bit more even for him.”
The trip from Victoria to Adelaide is another consideration, although Meagher expects the experienced traveller to handle the journey comfortably.
“He has to make the trip over by truck, but it’s a pretty simple trip,” he said.
“He’s a seasoned horse and has done quite a lot of travelling in his career. He’s been from New Zealand to Singapore, back to Melbourne and did a bit of travelling last preparation here.
“He’s a pretty easy and adaptable horse.”
The Behemoth Stakes represents a significant first-up challenge, but the drop to 1200 metres may be more suitable than it initially appears.
Lim’s Saltoro is unbeaten from four starts at the distance and has won two of his three previous first-up appearances.
The major uncertainty may be the weather, with Meagher hoping Morphettville avoids the worst of the rain that has affected Melbourne.
“The only concern I have is the rain we’re getting here in Melbourne,” he said.
“I hope Adelaide isn’t getting it as badly. Obviously, if it’s a heavy track, which it might be, that is a bit of a concern, but he has to kick off somewhere.
“He has handled the barrier trials on wet tracks pretty well and there have been no real complaints from the riders who have ridden him. Race day is different, but that’s the way it is.”
Fresh off his comeback meeting last weekend at Morphettville which resulted in a winner, Noel Callow has been booked to ride from barrier nine, with Lim’s Saltoro carrying 58.5 kilograms under the weight-for-age conditions.
Callow’s booking also provides a strong connection to the Lim ownership and Meagher family after his successful riding career in Singapore.
“We’ve got a good jockey in Noel Callow,” Meagher said.
“He has just come back from his time off and based himself in Adelaide, so I thought it was a good opportunity to get the team back together in a way.”
“We’ve had a lot of winners with Mr Lim — many, many winners — and we have a good relationship with him. Obviously, a lot of them were with my father.”
“We all know Noel is a very good jockey and I think he’ll suit this horse perfectly. He’s a pretty relaxed type of horse.”
Callow was happy to accept the ride, while owner Mr Lim also welcomed the opportunity to reunite with a familiar figure from Singapore racing.
“Noel was happy to take the ride and Mr Lim was very happy to have Noel on him,” Meagher said.
“It’s a bit of a full-circle moment, isn’t it?
“I think we all miss Singapore, Singapore racing and the people. It’s good that we can reconnect, and hopefully it’s a successful reconnection.”
The Behemoth Stakes field also includes fellow 97-rated runners Air Assault and Lingani, while progressive sprinter Sir Now enters after placing in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes.
There remains an element of uncertainty after such a lengthy absence, particularly against race-fit sprinters. However, Lim’s Saltoro’s record of 10 wins and four placings from 17 starts demonstrates the talent that made him one of Singapore racing’s brightest late-era performers.
Meagher is pleased with the gelding’s condition but will allow Saturday’s performance to determine where he heads through the spring.
“I’m very happy with the horse and very happy with the race,” he said.
“It’s a nice race for him to start his campaign. It just depends on how he goes and what the outcome is on Saturday before we decide where we go next.
“Obviously, we’re coming into spring and there are a lot of races for him, but there are also some tough races that we won’t put him in if we don’t have to.”
The Behemoth Stakes may ultimately serve as a starting point towards longer assignments, but Lim’s Saltoro has never been a conventional stayer lacking tactical speed.
Should he return close to his best, the multiple Singapore group one winner is capable of making his presence felt immediately and reminding Australian racegoers why he was considered one of Kranji’s final genuine stars.
By Scott Bailey – iRACE
