Raffles Cup Romp for Lim’s Kosciuszko

Fresh from being named Singapore’s 2022 Horse of the Year at a ceremony last week, Karaka graduate Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) is carrying his all-conquering form into 2023.

The five-year-old is unbeaten in two starts so far this year, following up a first-up win in last month’s Listed Merlion Trophy (1200m) with a spectacular romp in Saturday’s S$300,000 Raffles Cup (1600m). Lim’s Kosciuszko could have been bought for $60,000 at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale, and he has now had 17 starts for 13 wins and prize-money of S$1.02m (NZ$1.23m).

The winner of last year’s Singapore Derby (1800m) and Lion City Cup (1200m), Lim’s Kosciuszko is the headline act in Singapore racing at the moment and was widely expected to add Saturday’s Raffles Cup to his collection. But the dominance of his win had to be seen to be believed.

After cruising around the track in third place, jockey Wong Chin Chuen released the brake in the straight and Lim’s Kosciuszko roared clear. By the time he reached the finish line, the hot favourite was being eased down and still had a winning margin of two and a half lengths up his sleeve. He clocked 1:33.68 for the 1600 metres.

“There is no doubt he is a good horse,” Wong said. “This horse is the complete version. He just does everything that we want. He is the best horse. I believe a lot of feature-race wins are coming for him.

“He’s always got a high cruising speed, and be it over 1200 or 1600 metres, he still gives you the same kind of finish and response. This is the specialty of this horse and I’m going to enjoy the moment.”

Lim’s Kosciuszko is trained by Daniel Meagher, who is now pointing the stable star towards the S$1m Group One Kranji Mile (1600m) on May 20.

“He’s got better,” Meagher said. “The Hong Kong trip last year has really made him a proper horse. We had a beautiful run today, he did everything right and he just got better and better. CC (Wong Chin Chuen) rode him beautifully and it’s great to win. I felt a bit of pressure this week for whatever reason, but that was good.

“The International Kranji Mile will be his next start, and we’ll be heading there for sure.”

The strong-finishing third placegetter in Saturday’s big race was Sacred Croix (NZ) (Savabeel), who was a $260,000 purchase from the 2016 Premier Sale at Karaka. The well-performed veteran has had 44 starts for eight wins, 10 placings and S$898,437 (NZ$1.08m).