Trainer Dan Meagher unveils Singapore stars at Caulfield on Saturday

Trainer Dan Meagher will unleash three former Singapore horses at Caulfield on Saturday as he goes about establishing his Melbourne stable.

Dan Meagher (left) has been building his Pakenham stable with the help of his brother Chris. Picture: Mark Calleja

Pakenham trainer Dan Meagher has had to get used to a lot of things as he establishes himself in Melbourne after a decorated career in Singapore.

Meagher moved back to Australia when Singapore ceased racing last year, setting up his stable at Pakenham with the help of his brother Chris.

The developing operation has 25 horses in work, including six that Meagher trained in Singapore.

Meagher has had two winners from a limited number of runners from his new base.

Meagher said his initial challenge centred on getting used to Victoria’s ratings system to help place his early runners.

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“It’s really brand new and different to what I’m used to,” Meagher said.

“The ratings system is different here. They go up high and they used to drop them quick in Singapore while here, it stagnates a little bit and it takes a long time to drop them.

“It’s taken a bit of time to work it out, but I’m working it out.

“There’s all the different tracks with different circumferences and you’ve also got to take into consideration the travel time as well.

“It’s very different but I’m lucky I’ve got my brother Chris, who’s trained here before and I can bounce things off him.”

Lims Saltoro (SHAMEXPRESS) wins the Gr.1 Raffles Cup beating Lim’s Kosciuszko. He’s had 11 starts for 10 wins including the 4YO triple crown and now beating the older horses today.

Massive congratulations to connections including trainer @danmeagherracing, breeders Onyx… pic.twitter.com/XCXK16p9XQ

— Windsor Park Stud (@WindsorParkStud) August 11, 2024

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Meagher will run three former Singapore horses at Saturday’s Caulfield meeting, including the well-performed Lim’s Saltoro in the Thoroughbred Club Handicap (1400m).

Lim’s Saltoro has won 10 of 13 starts, including Singapore’s “Triple Crown” that culminated with his win in last year’s Singapore Derby.

The New Zealand-bred galloper’s Victorian racing of 98 left Meagher with few first-up options for Lim’s Saltoro but the trainer was keen to get a guide on where the five-year-old fits into the Melbourne ranks.

“He’s won 10 out of 13 and was invited to go to Hong Kong last December for the international races but I didn’t go, just because of the logistics of it,” Meagher said.

Listen to the roars of the crowd as LIM'S SALTORO drives to the wire in the Singapore Derby (G1) at Kranji.
Free Singapore PPs: https://t.co/PGPWwYkq6spic.twitter.com/0lGq73iFZ6

— Sky Racing World (@SkyRacingWorld) July 22, 2024

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“I just decided to bring him back and start him off here.

“He’s got a lot of ability.

“I would have loved to kick off over 1200 but this was the only suitable option, which is why I gave him three jumpouts to get him for the first-up run.

“He’s got the most upside and he’s drawn a soft gate.”

Stablemate Lim’s Ida will run in the same race.

Meagher said the six-year-old had a minor operation in Singapore, putting him off the scene for a year, but Saturday’s race was a learning experience with the gelding.

“It’s just a good starting point for him,” Meagher said.

“He’ll need the run but he’s coming along well and we’ll find a slot for him in Melbourne, that’s for sure.”

Originally published as Trainer Dan Meagher unveils Singapore stars at Caulfield on Saturday