After winning Singapore’s premier sprint race in 2022 and 2023, Lim’s Kosciuszko can write his own history by adding a third one in the $400,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on Sunday.
Historically, Singapore’s legendary and world-famous galloper Rocket Man was the only horse to have won the Lion City Cup four consecutive times from 2009 to 2012. Unfortunately, it will be the last running of the iconic weight-for-age sprint race as racing in Singapore will cease to exist after the last Grand Singapore Gold Cup meeting on 5 October, which meant Lim’s Kosciuszko will never get the chance to match that remarkable feat.
However, scope-wise, the two-time Singapore Horse of the Year in 2022 and 2023 is more than a sprinter. He has another six Group 1 wins under his belt with distances ranging from 1600m to 2000m. Now, the six-year-old son of Kermadec’s legacy as Singapore’s greatest racehorse could be further stamped with a win on Sunday.
With his trainer declaring that his run in the Lion City Cup will be the start of a four-race preparation that will culminate in his bid for back-to-back Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) wins at the last meeting on 5 October.
“We have set him for this race (Lion City Cup),” said the young Australian handler on Tuesday.
“But we had to keep in mind that he also has the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (1600m) in two weeks’ time, so this can’t be a gut buster.
“And then the (Group 1) QEII (Queen Elizabeth II Cup) over 1800m (on 7 September) and the (Singapore) Gold Cup. That’s it.
“In saying that, he’s fit and ready for this race and I was really happy with his trial the other day (finished second in trial no 2 on 18 July).
“As usual, it was only a stimulation trial and he ticked all the boxes liked he normally does, which was good as it looked like a nice field.
“We’d have to respect horses like (trainer) Tim’s (Fitzsimmons) good one (Golden Monkey). We had some great battles with him and he will appreciate the small field (seven nominations) as he should be closer in the running.
“And (trainer) Ricardo’s (Le Grange) three-year-old (Ace Of Diamonds) too. I have a lot of time for that horse.
“But ‘Kosi’ is the best horse in the race. Everyone knows that. We will start as the favourite and it’s Lim’s Kosciuszko’s to lose.”
And just like winning the last Singapore Derby with Lim’s Saltoro last Sunday, Meagher was acutely aware of the significance of winning the 2024 Lion City Cup.
“It will be part of history if he wins on Sunday,” he continued.
“It’s the last ever running of the race, so like the Singapore Derby, I want to have (jockey) Marc’s (Lerner) and (owner) Mr Lim’s (Siah Mong) name on the trophy.
“And my name is for all the staff. It’s a team game and you have to remember that a lot of people have put their lives into this place (Kranji); so it gets pretty emotional with only months to go.
“It would be pretty special for Lim’s Kosciuszko to win three Lion City Cups too. I know what Rocket Man did both here and internationally (won the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m in 2011), but it’s also amazing for my horse to win up to 2000m at Group 1 level when you think about it.
“I’m just honoured to be a part of his (Lim’s Kosciuszko) journey.”
Reflecting on Lim’s Saltoro’s win in the Singapore Derby, Meagher reported the star of the show pulled up well, and so did he.
“He (Lim’s Saltoro) knew he had been in a race, that’s for sure,” he said of the son of Shamexpress’ Derby win by a head from Makin in the great finish.
“So he takes a few days off serious work before going back to his Raffles Cup preparation.
“I was in bed early too! My family went back to Australia, so I had a quiet dinner with Marc and (visiting Australian jockey) Tyler Schiller and that was it.
“We have work to do this week with the Lion City Cup and I reckon Lim’s Bighorn (x Better Than Ready) will go well in the Class 4 race ($50,000 Zac Spirit 2014 Stakes over 1200m).
“I probably had him too fresh for the (Group 2) Singapore Guineas (1600m on 18 May); trainer error, so I take the blame for that.
“I think he’s a sprinter, so having him back over 1200m in Class 4 should see a result.”
By Larry Foley
