Lim’s Kosciuszko Defends Lion City Cup Crown

Superstar Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) stands head and shoulders above his opposition in Singapore at the moment, and the reigning Singapore Horse of the Year once again showcased that superiority with his second consecutive victory in the S$300,000 Lion City Cup (1200m) on Sunday.

It was the 15th win overall from a 19-start career for the outstanding two-time Karaka graduate, who was offered in at Karaka 2019 and again at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. His total earnings now stand at over S$1.7m, dwarfing his reserves of $75,000 and $60,000 at Karaka four years ago.

Lim’s Kosciuszko was an odds-on favourite to defend his Lion City Cup crown on Sunday, and there was barely a nervous moment as he cantered to another emphatic win.

Ridden patiently by Wong Chin Chuen, the six-year-old settled in fourth and was sitting well within striking range approaching the home turn. He cruised up alongside the leaders in the straight while still under a firm hold from Wong, who eventually released the brakes around the 250-mark and went for gold.

Last-start Singapore Derby (1800m) winner Golden Monkey (Star Turn) also quickened well out of the pack and dived through along the inside, but Lim’s Kosciuszko had his measure and kicked away from him to score by a length. He stopped the clock at 1:08.94 for the 1200 metres.

“Good horses make good jockeys, and this horse just knows what to do,” Wong said. “I’m just happy to be riding the best horse in these races.

“I just rode him as usual and put him where he was happy. The early race tempo was very good and we just settled behind the speed. Coming into the straight, he was just too good.

“He’s a very mature horse now and can do what we want. We can put him on the speed or put him to sleep, which is good. I don’t think it will be a problem to step him up in distance too.”

Trainer Daniel Meagher indicated that he is now likely to target the Singapore Triple Crown series – the Raffles Cup (1600m) on September 23, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on October 14 and the Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on November 11.

“I’m relieved,” Meagher said. “He’s a very good horse and he has done an amazing job for myself, Mr Lim (Sia Mong, owner) and the whole stable.

“He wins over 1200m and he wins over 1800 metres. It’s just a great job by the team once again. He’s a fantastic horse.

“He’ll go to the Raffles Cup next, and then he will go to the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. All going well, he might go for the Gold Cup after that.”

Vendor	Trelawney Stud Ltd
Purchaser
Breeding	Kermadec – Jacquetta
Sale	Lot 109, Karaka 2019 Book 1, Psd (Res $75,000)Lot 1 2019 Ready to Run Sale, Psd (Res $60,000)
Bred by	Trelawney Stud, Mrs C Taylor