It was only a few years ago when history was against the “best horses” winning the $1 million Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m).
But, that all changed in 2021 when the highest-rated runner in the field, Lim’s Lightning, became the first horse since Smart Bet in 2002 to carry the number one saddle cloth and win the prestigious handicap feature race over the current trip of 2000m.
That anomaly became a trend when Hongkong Great carried the top weight to win the same Singapore Gold Cup last year. On Saturday, the Lim’s Kosciuszko can make it three years in a row where “weight does not stop the train” and become the top-rated galloper in the field to win this third Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series.
This year, the Daniel Meagher-trained six-year-old had been tasked to carry 58kgs – five kilos more than two second highest-rated runners (97), Invincible Tycoon and Pacific Emperor – but the son of Kermadec would probably be the favourite again given his amazing winning form this year and the recent success of topweights in the Gold Cup.
Yet, this will not be a given by any means – Lim’s Kosciuszko tasted defeat for the first time this year in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on 14 October when he lost to Hongkong Great. A capacity field over ten furlongs at Group 1 level can throw up many scenarios, but Meagher is confident his flagship horse can bounce back.
“He’s the best horse in the race,” said the Australian conditioner.
“He (Lim’s Kosciuszko) got beaten fair and square by Hongkong Great at his last start. It was a fantastic ride by (jockey) Bernardo (Pinheiro) but our bloke was super in defeat.
“And (jockey) CC (Wong Chin Chuen) was just as good in my opinion without pulling the win off. Maybe another ten metres and he does it. Hats off to Bernardo and (trainer) Ricardo (Le Grange) though as it was a bold decision that paid off.
“He (Lim’s Kosciuszko) felt the run too, but while he was off his tucker (food) for a day or so, we gave him a few extra days off and he came back good. His blood is good and he’s a happy horse.
“We gave him a trial (won trial no 2 on 2 November in the time of 1 min 0.8secs) just to keep him ticking over and (jockey and race rider) Marc (Lerner) didn’t ask him to do much.
“Visually, it (the trial) was pleasing but the best part was he (Lim’s Kosciuszko) came through it well and it was straight back to the feedbag. So, all good leading into Saturday.”
Of the heavy impost, Meagher pointed to changes made to the Singapore Gold Cup’s handicap conditions seven years ago as a huge factor in the glut of top weights winning of late and was also confident Lim’s Kosciuszko’s new rider would be up to the challenge.
“The move to four rating points per kilo instead of two was massive,” said Meagher, who won the race with Lim’s Lightning in 2021.
“The best horse has won the last two and I think that (the change in conditions) was a definite factor. The distance changed (from 2200m) to 2000m too, which also helped.
“With CC not riding (currently serving a four-month suspension notice), Marc gets his chance and he deserves it.
“Marc has a terrific record in staying races, so he is the perfect replacement. He won the (2021 Group 1) Singapore Derby (2000m) and (2021) QEII Cup on Hard Too Think for (trainer) Stephen (Gray) and the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (1600m) a few years back (2019) on Makanani for (trainer) ‘Tacky’ (Hideyuki Takaoka).
“He also rides a lot of work for me and plenty of winners. He has been on Lim’s Kosciuszko in his work for the last two-and-a-half weeks and the last two trials.
“He knows the horse well and I don’t need to tell him what to do. Marc is the best man for the job.
“I would like a nice gate but we will take what we get. (Ex-kranji jockey) Danny (Beasley) won on Lim’s Lightning from gate nine – that was an inch-perfect ride – so we did overcome wide gates before.
“Marc will just hold him together – ride his own race – and hopefully do what CC has done for the last year or so.”
Of his other runner in the Singapore Gold Cup – Saturno Spring – Meagher was honest about the improvement needed from the Greenspring seven-year-old.
“It’s a tough ask, even with 50kgs,” he said.
“(Jockey) Simon Kok will ride him and he (Saturno Spring) probably needs a storm to hit to have any chance.
“A heavy track on Saturday and he might improve but he’s had a good year, so you never know.”
By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
