A huge crowd befitting the last running of the $300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) got the results they wanted after Singapore’s best galloper, Lim’s Kosciuszko, won the highlight race on Saturday.
Lim’s Kosciuszko was sent out as the $9 favourite in the elite 11-horse field after King Of Sixty-One was scratched prior to the meeting, while Lim’s Saltoro and Golden Monkey were the equal second favourites on $23.
On jumping, the two Lim’s horses were prominent early before the race panned out as expected with Mr Black Back (Manoel Nunes) crossing from his wide gate 11 to lead on settling and Lim’s Saltoro (Wong Chin Chuen) trailing in second.
Meanwhile, Lim’s Kosciuszko (Marc Lerner) was tucked in behind his stablemate and Dream Alliance (Ryan Curatolo) sat handier than expected in the first four.
Into the straight, Lim’s Saltoro was quick to eyeball Mr Black Back in the lead and with Lim’s Kosciuszko, Dream Alliance and Golden Monkey (Kyle Wilson-Taylor) putting up a challenge at the 300m, the race was set up for a cracking finish.
As things got serious at the furlong marker, the son of Kermadec’s champion qualities came to the fore and with Lim’s Saltoro faltering and the other on-pace brigade battling late, it was race over and redemption for Lim’s Kosciuszko after he got beat into second in the same race last year.
It was also a terrific guide to next month’s Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) as Raising Sixty-One (Bruno Queiroz) ran on very well in the closing stages to finish a length back in second. Lim’s Saltoro held on well to finish another half-a-length back in third, a neck ahead of an eye-catching Hole In One (Bernardo Pinheiro) in fourth.
The winning time was 1 min 47.08 secs for the 1800m on the Long Course. Lim’s Kosciuszko’s 22nd win in 27 starts took his earnings to over $3.5 million for the Lim’s Stable.
The win was also the two-time Singapore Horse of the Year’s 10th win at Group 1 level and gave trainer Daniel Meagher and owner Mr Lim Siah Mong their first win in the prestige race.
“It’s been a jinx, Ethan, for (owner) Mr Lim and myself,” said the Australian handler when asked about the only missing Group 1 win on his resume by racing presenter Ethan Mills after the race.
“Three years ago, Lim’s Lightning got scratched before (the race) and then we got beat last year by (trainer) Ricardo’s (Le Grange) horse (Hongkong Great).
“So, it’s good to get the win. He’s a great horse and Singapore should be getting around him as it’s our last year.
“He just does what he has to do these days. He’s getting a bit older and not winning as dominantly but that’s win number 22.
“A great ride by Marc. He was very patient, neither hurt him to the line nor gave him a gut-busting run, which was great.
“I’m very proud of him (Lim’s Kosciuszko).”
(From left): Trainer Daniel Meagher, jockey Marc Lerner and owner Mr Lim Siah Mong beaming with joy after Lim’s Kosciuszko triumphs in the QEII Cup.
Meagher was also glowing in his praise for Lim’s Saltoro after the five-year-old son of Shamexpress had an interrupted preparation and was looking forward to the Grand Singapore Gold Cup.
“I’m also very proud of (Lim’s) Saltoro. He’s had a bit of a troublesome week. He wasn’t really good going into this race. We had a few issues with him but he’s put in a gallant performance.
“It’s not going to be easy for ‘Kosi’ as he would probably carry 58.5kgs or something like that (in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup) but he’s won it before (in 2023) with a lot against him.
“I think the other horse (Lim’s Saltoro) will carry a light weight and he’s going to be in with a really big show.
“I’m very proud to win so many Group 1 races and the team has done a great job.”
Lerner, who had a treble on the day with Lucky Goal ($20) in the $30,000 Hongkong Great 2023 Stakes, a Class 5 race over 1200m and Silver Dragon ($39) in the $30,000 Top Knight 2020 Stakes, a Class 5 race Division 1 race over 1400m, was just in awe of ‘Kosi’ after his epic win.
“He’s just getting a bit older,” explained the Frenchman.
“As you can see at the 400m, when (Lim’s) Saltoro went for it, he got us a bit out of the bridle.
“But he’s (Lim’s Kosciuszko) a champion. He just picked up. I was a bit scared because when he gets in front, he knows the job is done and would tend to relax, so I had to keep him to his work.
“It’s good to win this race for Mr Lim and Daniel as that was the only one (Group 1 race win) missing (on their achievement records).”
On turning the tables on Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) winner Lim’s Saltoro, Lerner suggested that “fresher” legs was the key this time.
“The difference was the four weeks in between races (Raffles Cup and QEII Cup), because I’m pretty sure we would have got it (Raffles Cup) on the line with fresher legs,” he said, referring to the fact that Lim’s Kosciuszko was on a back-up in the Raffles Cup, only two weeks after he won the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on 28 July.
“Take nothing away from Lim’s Saltoro. He’s a great horse. We had the perfect run but ‘Kosi’’s just getting a bit older. He doesn’t win it as easy as before but he gets the job done.
“I’m happy. Three winners was superb. Now, we just focus on either (Lim’s) Saltoro or (Lim’s) Kosciuszko (in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup). I just want one of them to win.”
The Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be held on the final race meeting in Singapore on 5 October.
By Larry Foley
