Richard Lim finally gets that elusive win

SINGAPORE:  Nov 4, 2012
 
VIVA PANATA (centre) prevails in a three-way photo
- SNTC photo

Richard Lim, who returned to the saddle this year after serving a lengthy disqualification, was finally back in the winner's circle when he partnered VIVA PANATA (Estambul - Blooming Luck by Maroof) to victory in the Kranji Stakes C - 1100m sprint on the polytrack at Kranji here today.

The 2000 Malaysian champion jockey had to endure a run of 18 'outs' in Malaysia and 59 in Singapore before his comeback win today but not before both jockey and rider were tested to the limit.

VIVA PANATA had scored two wins in each of the last three seasons but has not tasted success since March last year when he triumphed in a similar event on the same course and distance.

After sitting behind the pacemaker early, the Australian seven-year-old hit the front at the home turn and had to fight tooth and nail to hold off SHAOLIN SOLDIER and BAZINGA in a three-way photo to win by a head. It was Lim's first win for almost five years.

"I’m already very grateful I can ride in Singapore again. To win again is the icing on the cake," said Lim who was also the top apprentice for two seasons in Malaysia in 2000 and 2001.

As a senior rider, Lim has enjoyed great success in Singapore in the past and his most memorable moment must surely be his win on KING AND KING in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2005 when he got to receive the trophy from the Queen herself.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 MAIDEN, DIV 2 - 1600M

7

 Dos Equis O'Hara G Cheyne

1

2

 Holly L Laxon J Moreira

2

5

 Vantage S Baertschiger J Powell

3

8

 Weowna Flyer M Clements Sam

4

2

 INITIATION - 1400M

12

 Luwak Coffee S Burridge S Baster

1

3

 Sir Oakley L Laxon J Moreira

2

5

 Fei Yue S Baertschiger J Powell

3

8

 Slayer M Freedman A Munro

4

3

 CLASS 4 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)

3

 Cavallo M Freedman J Moreira

1

4

 Good Buddy B Dean S Baster

2

2

 Robert E S Baertschiger J Powell

3

7

 Spot On O'Hara Soo

4

4

 CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1400M

1

 Sir Fleetwood L Laxon J Moreira

1

3

 Carnival Star B Marsh Z Zuriman

2

10

 New Lease Of Life Z L Mok R Zawari

3

4

 Chun Doong C Brown S Baster

4

5

 MAIDEN, DIV 1 - 1600M

10

 Drumsara S Gray I Santana

1

5

 Joyce Z L Mok T Affandi

2

1

 Hello Good Buy O'Hara S Baster

3

3

 Moerock H Takaoka A Munro

4

6

 PROGERSS - 1400M

2

 City Lad D Koh J Verenzuela

1

3

 Shuttle Man S Burridge J Powell

2

1

 Natural Nice L Laxon T H Koh

3

5

 Devil's Cut S Burridge S Baster

4

7

 CLASS 5 - 1600M

1

 Bungae C Brown J Moreira

1

6

 Arabian Night B Marsh S Baster

2

2

 Buzet D Hill J Verenzuela

3

7

 Yam Cha Z L Mok R Lim

4

8

 KRANJI STAKES C - 1100M (POLYTRACK)

5

 Viva Panata D Koh R Lim

1

1

 Shaolin Soldier S Burridge W X Wong

2

3

 Bazinga M Walker R Shafiq

3

7

 Glownight Racer B Marsh S Baster

4

9

 CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1400M

4

 Mr Bean M Walker J Moreira

1

12

 Jumbo Can S Lam W X Wong

2

3

 Double Dose B Dean R Zawari

3

5

 World Famousman D Koh J Verenzuela

4

10

 CLASS 4 - 1600M

1

 Silveron Warrior Khoo I Santana

1

10

 Guided Light O'Hara G Cheyne

2

11

 Gravlax S Yeoh J Moreira

3

5

 Fat Boy H K Tan Zaki

4

11

 CLASS 4 - 1400M

10

 Hooper C Brown G Cheyne

1

14

 Kobe Top Gun S Burridge Saifudin

2

3

 Enzo S Chua J Moreira

3

6

 Hang Tuah H K Tan Sam

4