Local kingpin Lim’s Kosciuszko can add a rare feature race double to his outstanding list of achievements if he took out the $300,000 Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Rare in the fact that – due to a change in programming that saw no running of the Raffles Cup in 2022 – two Raffles Cups were scheduled for this year with Lim’s Kosciuszko winning the first edition, beating Katak by an easy two-and-a-half lengths on March 25.
The mighty Debt Collector – trained by ex-Kranji conditioner Cliff Brown and ridden by ex-Kranji jockey Michael Rodd- was the only horse to have won the Raffles Cup twice before in 2016 and 2018.
So, for Lim’s Kosciuszko to win Raffles Cup back-to-back would be a first in history. But also, to have one horse win two of the same feature race in the same year would be something oddly befitting the little champion.
Trainer Daniel Meagher may not have given that much thought, but he will take whatever plaudits come the ‘little’ horse’s way this end of the season.
“It’s one race at a time and we take nothing for granted, but yes, two Raffles Cups in one year would be a good result,” said Meagher, who also won the race with Lim’s Lightning in 2021.
“But we still have to win on Saturday. We have drawn gate 11 against some good horses, so he (Lim’s Kosciuszko) will have to be on his game.”
With all things being equal, Lim’s Kosciuszko will likely start as red-hot favourite and be extremely hard to beat.
While it looked like a standard preparation for Lim’s Kosciuszko, Meagher – who would match his father and ex Kranji-trainer John Meagher with three Raffles Cup trophies if he was victorious on Saturday – could not be happier with how Lim’s Kosciuszko was at the moment.
“He went like a Class 5 horse at his first gallop after winning the (Group 1) Lion City Cup (1200m), but that’s normal,” explained Meagher of the six-year-old son of Kermadec.
“He does his own thing. Then, he went out and trialled super a week later (won trial no 3 on September 14 in the time of 1 min 0.95secs).
“That’s what he does. We don’t gallop our horses once they’re fit if we can help it. That’s our system and from day one, he’s (Lim’s Kosciuszko) never had a gallop the week of the race.
“I thought his trial last week was better than his trial before the Lion City Cup, when I thought he was a bit fresh. (Jockey) CC (Wong Ching Chuen) couldn’t slow him down on that occasion.
“This time, he travelled beautifully for CC off the pace and when Cyclone and Golden Monkey came up beside him, he showed his competitive edge. That’s just what I wanted to see.
“They may try to be tactical early and make us work from the wide gate, but good luck. He will bounce (from the barriers) and CC can ride him where he wants. It’s a nice long run into the turn and he (Wong) knows what he has under him.”
Going forward, Meagher had plenty of options for his stable star but will again play it race by race.
“Obviously, our main aim is the Raffles Cup and the (Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II) QEII Cup (1800m),” he said.
“But after that, we will let the horse tell us where to go. The options are varied. Maybe a crack at the (Group 1) Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) or even another crack at the (Group 1) Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) if we’re invited.
“We’re keeping our options open for sure.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Singapore Gold Cup are the second and third Legs of the Singapore Triple Crown series, held on October 14 and November 11 respectively, while the HK$26 million (S$4.5 million) Longines Hong Kong Sprint is part of the Hong Kong International races held at Sha Tin racecourse on December 10 this year. Lim’s Kosciuszko ran last to Wellington in that race at his first and only overseas venture last year.
Meagher will also saddle Saturno Spring in the Raffles Cup. The seven-year-old son of Greenspring will partner jockey Marc Lerner in the race but Meagher thought he would be tested at the weight-for-age conditions.
“Thrilled if he ran in the top six!” exclaimed an honest Meagher.
“But realistically, he is out of his depth on paper at weight-for-age (conditions). In saying that, he can run well and blinkers go on.
“The Gold Cup is his end goal. If he can get a run in that race over 2000m with 50kgs, that’s a different proposition.”
Of Lerner’s recent purple patch of form, Meagher was elated that the Frenchman’s hard work was paying dividends.
“Marc’s a nice guy and not many work harder at getting better,” he continued.
“I know he has ridden winners for many years in Singapore but I think he has improved out of sight recently. He’s dedicated to his craft and now his confidence is up and he’s backing his judgment, he is reaping the rewards.
“He (Lerner) works for me every morning. I’ve got to know him well and I think the winners will keep coming.”
