3 minute read

Albert Einstein was once quoted as saying “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”.

Lim's Kosciuszko  was the unanimous pick by both broadcast teams in the Group 2 Stewards' Cup when being beaten fair and square by Relentless with Tiger Roar making up ground late for third.

I may not be insane – although my wife may disagree - but after picking Lim's Kosciuszko in the Stewards' Cup and getting it wrong, I am doubling down on the highest-rated horse in the $400,000 Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) and making the Daniel Meagher-trained star my special on what looks a great day of racing.

A well-documented gear change (wearing crossover noseband for the first time) should help him see out the 1800m journey, but I am also banking on his class to get him over the line in what would be his first Group win.

I am also sticking with Amazing Breeze as the 'best of the rest' for value with jockey Blake Shinn and over the 1800m trip as contributing factors.

The other pundits from the broadcast boxes – both English and Chinese - that Einstein may want to have a stern word with are Scott Bailey, Michael Spark, Kew Lee Teng and Raymond Yong, who are all also sticking with Lim's Kosciuszko.

Bailey – who had the best seat in the house when calling home Relentless in the Stewards' Cup - also thinks class will prevail.

"He (Lim's Kosciuszko) ran an opening sectional of 24.27 seconds in the Stewards' Cup and kept going at a decent gallop," the race caller explained.

"The fact that he still boxed on for second place shows his class and if he gets a more comfortable run up front in the Derby and can save some fuel, he will give them something to catch.

"For value, watch Super Impact with blinkers on.

"Yes, he hasn't shown anything in Singapore to make a song and dance about but he looked good this week at trackwork and may travel a bit better in the Derby."

Spark agrees with Bailey about the expected easier sectionals for Lim's Kosciuszko.

"I see this race playing out differently than the Stewards' Cup," said the Australian form analyst.

"On paper, Lim's Kosciuszko looks to get a more convenient run on-pace and if (jockey) (Danny) Beasley can pinch a few cheap furlongs, they will struggle to get past him.

"Blake would have done his homework on Amazing Breeze and he is the value with every chance expected from the good gate."

Kew also stays with Lim's Kosciuszko – but with a caveat.

"Although he was beaten by Relentless at his last start, his performance was still eye-catching," observed Kew.

"The addition of the crossover noseband will be good for him over 1800m.

"But Relentless was impressive winning (the Stewards' Cup) and Tiger Roar has won over this distance before, so it does look like a race between these three."

Yong is in rare tipping form and thinks Lim's Kosciuszko and Beasley can learn from the defeat in the Stewards' Cup.

"They went to the front too quickly and can benefit from that experience," he said.

"The danger is Tiger Roar who made tonnes of ground in the Stewards' Cup. Watch Con Speranza for value as he is very consistent and (Hideyuki) Takaoka knows how to train a stayer."

On the other hand, Collin Fan and Suresh Ragavan do expect the same result from the Stewards' Cup - and for good reasons.

"Relentless and Vlad Duric are two-from-two," said Fan, who will call the feature race for the Chinese broadcast team.

"The gelding has a strong character, no doubt he can extend one more furlong and he has found the right form (and rider) at the right time.

"You have to respect Tiger Roar and Lim's Kosciuszko and Hero is my value (pick) as the distance suits and in a small field, anything could happen."

Ragavan agrees with Fan on Relentless but throws out the longest of long shots for the exotics.

"There is not much between the top three chances but the son of Hallowed Crown (Relentless) is fit, well prepared and can win again with Duric at the helm," said Ragavan.

"The surprise packet for me is Spilt Second who is up from Class 5 but is a course and distance winner and could give this a shake at odds."

Pat Comerford - who will call the Group 1 Singapore Derby for the English viewers – stands alone with his top selection, Tiger Roar.

"I'm strong on Tiger Roar," exclaimed Comerford.

"He was the only one making ground late in the Stewards' Cup and will be better for the run given his limited preparation. I think he is the hardest to beat over the Derby distance.

"And I reckon he's the value bet as well given the support for the other two."

So it is 'each-way-all-the-way' for Pat and for most others, it's not rocket science!

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