He’ll be one of the last horses to run at the storied Kranji racecourse, and Lim’s Saltoro could also be the final Singapore-trained horse to tackle the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR).

Lim’s Saltoro lines up in the final running of the time-honoured Singapore Gold Cup this Saturday as the curtain comes down on over 180 years of racing in the Lion City.

Announced in June last year, the demise of the sport in the city comes as the government takes back Kranji for redevelopment.

While for most gallopers the Gold Cup will be their grand final, a big performance from Lim’s Saltoro could see trainer Dan Meagher shift his sights to Sha Tin.

All going well this Saturday, Lim’s Saltoro could tackle a two-race Hong Kong campaign on his way to Australia to become part of Meagher’s new training operation at Pakenham, which is scheduled to open its doors in mid-December.

“We’ve been in contact with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and if everything goes well he could probably go to the [Group Two Jockey Club Mile] in November,” Maher said of his Singapore Derby winner.

“Then, if he does well there, [HKIR] could be the plan, but everything has got to go very well.

“When you think about it logistically, it’s perfect, but there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge.”

Meagher would keep Lim’s Saltoro ticking over at Kranji before travelling northeast, where his international day target could be the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), and then onto his new home in Australia.

“I’ve spoken to the club here and they’d put on a barrier trial for me and I’d just use another one or two of my horses that are still here,” Meagher said.

“It’s very simple. He would just do everything like normal but he’d have the whole of Kranji to himself.

“The logistics can work, it’s just whether he’s good enough to go. I think there are a few [HKJC] representatives coming for the big race on Saturday and that will tell if we’re going to go or not. I have to make sure [owner] Mr Lim [Siah Mong] is happy to go as well.”

Standing in Lim’s Saltoro’s way this Saturday is a galloper familiar with Hong Kong punters – Meagher’s long-time stable flag-bearer and two-time HKIR runner, Lim’s Kosciuszko.

“It’s a handicap and he’s got 52kg. His stablemate Lim’s Kosciuszko has got 58kg and the only horse who has really beaten him is Lim’s Kosciuszko,” said Meagher, confirming Lim’s Kosciuszko won’t head to Hong Kong for a third time but could continue his career in Australia.

“Lim’s Saltoro is a very talented horse. He’s shot up the ranks really quickly – quicker than Kosciuszko did. He’s right on target for a good performance.”

For Meagher, who has the two highest-rated runners in the Gold Cup, it will be an emotional weekend whether or not he lands one last Kranji feature.

“I’m an emotional bloke when it comes to this kind of stuff and it’s not easy,” he said.

“I’ve been here a total of 18 years and I’ve got a Singaporean wife and three young kids, so this place holds a very special place in my heart.

“To think after race 10 on Saturday, that’s it, we’re finished. It’s pretty bloody sad and a bit hard to wrap your head around.”