3 minute read

He was the highest-rated horse in the $400,000 Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) - and eventually jumped the $12 favourite - but the elephant in the room pre-race was the fact that Lim’s Kosciuszko had yet to win at Group level.

Second favourite – Tiger Roar  ($16) - had the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (2021) under his belt and Relentless  ($17) beat Lim's Kosciuszko after he won the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) only three weeks ago.

So the question was; could the Daniel Meagher-trained four-year-old break his Group duck in one of the most time-honoured races on the Singapore calendar?

And in a race that had so far eluded his trainer, his trainer's father (the celebrated ex-Kranji trainer John Meagher) and his decorated jockey, Danny Beasley?

Over a trip he was yet to conquer?

You bet he did!

True, in what was a cracking finish befitting a race like the Singapore Derby, Lim's Kosciuszko had to fight hard to hold off the fast-finishing Relentless (Vlad Duric) by a head, with the gallant Super Impact (Jake Bayliss) only a neck away in third, but the best horse won.

The best ride helped too.

From gate six and with no real pace influence in the 10-horse field, Beasley settled the newest pride of the Lim's Stable comfortably in second behind the Hideyuki Takaoka-trained Con Speranza (Marc Lerner), with no speed records set in the first few furlongs.

At an early stage, the race looked to be panning out perfectly for Lim's Kosciuszko  to finally break his Group duck, especially with Relentless stuck in traffic back in the field and Tiger Roar (Bernardo Pinheiro) under the pump before turning for home.

Beasley – knowing the 1800m was the biggest question mark – did not pull the proverbial trigger until the last possible moment, with his first concern getting past the brave Con Speranza.

No easy task given he is as honest as the day is long but Beasley had Con Speranza's measure by the 200m before getting very busy to hold off the swoopers late.

Bayliss on Super Impact had to come off heels before making his challenge at the 150m with Duric finding clean air about the same time on Relentless but giving the winner a few lengths of headstart.

As the post nears, Super Impact loomed large and Relentless even larger with 50m to go but much to the joy of all concerned, Lim's Kosciuszko held on by a head from the luckless Relentess for a memorable and emotional win.

"Danny rode him beautifully," gushed Meagher immediately after the victory.

"We've been trying to get him settle in his trackwork, it's been a bit difficult but teamwork makes the dream come true, it's fantastic.

"Very important win, I feel very privileged - it's for dad.

"Massive team effort, they all worked hard. This horse is not easy, he's got a few little issues, but it shows you good teamwork always pays off."

After the prize presentations, Meagher elaborated on what the win meant to both him and his family.

"An amazing thrill – he's a dead-set 1200m to 1400m horse and we won a Derby with him," continued the talented trainer.

"We needed everything to go right from the perfect ride to me getting it right with his training, even his feet had issues, so Gary (Morley) the farrier did a huge job – team effort.

"We worked him together - Dan and I – and while we get it right more times than not, there was a lot of pressure knowing it wasn't his best distance.

"But this win is about dad.

"Everything I do is for him and he taught me everything."

Beasley couldn't hide his feelings in front of English racing presenter Scott Bailey after weighing in for his first Derby success.

"I just love him (Meagher)," said Beasley.

"He's my best mate and we've done it together.

"Derbies have been a jinx for me.

"I ran second in a couple of Australian Derbies, second in a Brisbane Derby and second up here one day on Deep Pockets for Cliff Brown (ex-Kranji trainer) who I thought was a certainty yet he got his backside kicked (eight lengths) by Chase Me (2012).

"So it really means a lot to win one, especially with the circumstances of retiring, having four years off and this year we've - the stable - have been up and down but this little horse was always our (Singapore) Derby horse and we just had to get him here."

They did, but not without the disappointment of running second in the Stewards' Cup - a point not lost on Beasley.

"Last start was a real learning curve – I went out too hard on him – but I wanted to test him to see what I could get away with and we got beat but we learnt a lot," he explained.

"And I think it helped us win today as we put the crossover nose band on him, got a beautiful run in the race and got a great kick but geez, I wouldn't have wanted it to be 1805m, but we got it done.

"This is right up there!"

The emotions reached even further than those on-hand at Kranji and Beasley wanted to thank them all.

"It's been a tough week – mum and dad back in Australia – I hope they're watching - hi, I love you!" shouted out the visibly-drained jockey.

"They had Covid-19 all week and when you're on the other side of the world and your parents have Covid-19, it's not a nice feeling.

"Lots of support from my beautiful wife Ash and the kids and as you get older, you get a lot more sentimental. When the number went up, I broke down a bit.

"Mr Lim (Siah Mong, owner) has been a wonderful supporter. To win the (Singapore) Derby for him, it really means a lot.

"Mick Dittman, the racing manager, hasn't had the best of health of late – get better and I wished you were here to enjoy it with us."

Beasley then summed up beautifully what the win meant to everyone involved in the victory in these tough times.

"This win today, it wasn't about me, it wasn't about the horse, it wasn't about the stable," he said.

"It was about the big team that's involved with him, as well as all of our families.

"Dan's Dad is not in the best of health – we just love him – and wished he could be here and things were a bit different, but that's what makes this special.

"This game – bloody hell – what a game!"

With his ninth win and two placings in 12 starts, Lim's Kosciuszko has brought his massive earnings close to $590,000 for connections.