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Super Salute pulled away to a convincing win in the $150,000 Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m), handing trainer Jason Lim his first Group win on Sunday.
The son of I Am Invincible's six wins on the bounce also gave four-time Singapore champion jockey Manoel Nunes his first win in the EW Barker Trophy.
While he was sent out as the second-favourite ($15) - after a spirited pre-race battle for bragging rights with Golden Monkey ($13) - things didn't go to plan early for Super Salute . He jumped a tad slow and had to be pushed along by Nunes to get into a handy position.
Unfortunately - on a day that seemed to favour on-pace runners – a few other jockeys had the same intention. While Mr Black Back (Ronnie Stewart) led as expected, Nunes was caught out on a limb; three wide on the flank of Golden Monkey (Simon Kok Wei Hoong).
On turning for home, Mr Black Back was challenged early by both his stablemate Golden Monkey and Super Salute, but while the leader was brave and put up a fair fight, it looked a race in two by the 350m.
With the two favourites going hammer and tongs and the crowd getting involved to a level not seen in recent years, the finish was set to be a beauty.
The pair knuckled down for the fight and while Super Salute got the upper hand at the 200m, Golden Monkey refused to lie down. Super Salute only kicked clear of his four-year-old rival late to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
Mr Black Back was not disgraced after finishing another half-a-length away in third while Sacred Croix (Benny Woodworth) flew home late to finish another nose away in fourth.
The winning time was 1 min 21.26secs for the 1400m on the Long Course and Super Salute's sixth win from seven starts in Singapore took his earnings to over $260,000 for the Alan N John Stable.
Lim – who just won his first Class 1 race with Sky Eye last Sunday – was overwhelmed by the milestone at the fourth year of training in his own right.
"I'm speechless now," said the visibly emotional trainer to racing presenter Scott Bailey after the race.
"It's my first Group race (win) and I'm just overly excited and I don't know what to say.
"In the straight – when he (Super Salute) kicked clear of Golden Monkey, I was still 'shivering' and I just hoped that he would hang on (till the end)."
The Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge series had always been earmarked for Super Salute and there seemed no reason to change the plans now.
"He's definitely going for the 4YO series so we will keep him ticking (over) and race him in June."
The Singapore 4YO Challenge series will kick off with the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on June 11, followed by the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) on July 2 before culminating with the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) on July 23.
Nunes was also visibly emotional after he brought Super Salute back to the winner's circle - giving high fives all and sundry – but was all business when chatting to Bailey after weighing in.
"I'm very glad to have jumped on this horse," said the Brazilian jockey.
"He's a really good horse and a special one.
"He had some issues in the barriers (previously) so I want to thank Jason and his staff because they have done a great job with this horse.
"He's (Super Salute) flying. His groom (Ruhaizat) – all his team – they did a great job.
"That's why this horse is at the top of his game. Today, he just proved that he will be the main chances in the 4YO series."
When asked about his "sticky" position in running, Nunes praised his mount for what was a commanding win given the circumstances.
"I couldn't go in because I had two horses on my inside. I wanted to get behind Golden Monkey but I had no choice so I had to stay there (three wide)," he said.
"But my horse is so intelligent. He just lowered himself and was relaxed. I was concerned when I had no cover, but my horse travelled very good for me."
