After missing the start in the $35,000 Maiden (1600m) Lim’s Ocean (NZ) was scrubbed along by jockey Mark Gallagher, with the well backed second favourite ($21) looking to be a disastrous start for punters at Kranji on Friday night.

However it was a case of Gallagher thinking ‘never say die’ and the UK bound hoop put everything he had into the ride, with the result being a commanding four length win on the line.

"I couldn’t believe I was so slow away. " Gallagher said."The plan was to be close to the pace and when I looked round at the jump there were only two horses behind me!"I had to keep pushing and pushing him and he did the same pace throughout until I was able to switch him to the better ground in the straight.
"Then he started to pick up speed, but I wasn’t that confident half-way home!"Rook ($20 Fav) and Hanauma Bay ($363) had taken up the front running role and while the pace wasn’t that genuine in the mile event, it was a task and a half for Lim’s Ocean to overcome.While he may be a bit one-paced Lim’s Ocean certainly showed some turn of foot to scoot past Rook at the 200m and went home extending his stride with every post."It’s good for the owners to win, they’ve been very patient with him," said winning trainer Steven Burridge.
"He’s still a bit green and one-paced, but he’s starting to put it together now."As Gallagher was easing down past the line, in second place four lengths away was Lightning One (Din Azis) who battled on well from Rook (HK Lim), who finished a further neck away.Lim’s Ocean (NZ) is by O’Reilly from Robbers Aunty and that was his first win from six starts for his owners Lim’s Stable.

Gallagher will jet out to the UK after the last race on the card tonight, as he heads to Epsom Downs to ride Brett Johnson’s Leander in the Vodafone Epsom Derby.

Copyright 2006 Singapore Turf Club