A photo print was needed to reveal the winner of the sixth edition of the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C The New Paper Trophy on Sunday. In a last lunge at the post, Lim’s Connection just touched off Superb by a short head to give his trainer Steven Burridge his first win in the race sponsored by the Singapore Press Holdings-owned daily.

“Reconnected” with French jockey Eric Legrix, who was replaced by Saimee Jumaat and Danny Beasley at his last two runs, Lim’s Connection had been a little out of sorts since his last win in February, but did a great job to score first-up, gaining the verdict after a stirring battle with Superb on the rails.

 

On this photo, Superb (on rails) is still in front but Lim's Connection (No 2) will nab him right on the line.

“I had planned his work thinking he would measure up to the Derby, but he fell a bit short of that class at his last runs,” said Burridge.

“We gave him a break and he came back in good form. Unfortunately he broke through the barrier at his last start and had to be scratched.”

“I was expecting a good run today as his work has been very good. I thought his odds would be better than that ($25), though.”

“He did a good job to win first-up.”

Legrix, who has partnered the Catbird five-year-old to two of his previous four starts, gave full credit to Burridge’s hard work.

“I seem to get along with him. He can play the fool at times, like the last time when he played up in the stalls,” said Legrix.

“Today I only followed Steve’s instructions to race a lot handier as he was fresh.

“Everything went to plan and I was able to get out in the home straight. He just kept giving all the way to the line.

“Steven has done a great job to produce him first-up for this win.”

Legrix who has been out of the winner’s list for a while, was pleased as punch he had brought home a winner in a feature race.

“It’s been pretty quiet lately but it’s always good to win. The feature race is a bonus.”


(L to R) Eric Legrix, Mr Lim Siah Mong and Steven Burridge make up the team behind The New Paper Trophy's sixth winner, Lim's Connection.

But it was a win he earned through a lot of hard work and perseverance.

Second favourite Superb looked all over the winner at the 200m when under Danny Beasley’s strong urgings, he was making every post a winning one. Favourite Husonic (Noel Callow) was already a beaten horse, after being caught three wide for most of the way.

Lim’s Connection plugged on solidly down the middle but did not seem to quicken fast enough to reel in Superb on the fence. Celine Star (John Powell) was also chiming in down the outside, but just when the race seemed to be going Superb’s way, Lim’s Connection threw his head on the line to land the chocolates at the last hop.

Lim’s Connection clocked a sizzling 1min 22.4secs for the 1400m, just 0.6 seconds short of World Airlines’ record. With this latest win, he has now earned close to $240,000 in prize money.