3 minute read

If trainer Daniel Meagher had learnt one thing from his trip to Hong Kong’s international races in December last year, it was that even the best horses cannot peak too many times in one season.

With the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on May 20 as his main goal this time, Lim's Kosciuszko starts his 2023 trek with a run in the $110,000 Group 3 Merlion Trophy over 1200m on the Polytrack on Saturday.

The first feature race of the 2023 Singapore racing season saw 12 nominations on the handicaps, with Lim's Kosciuszko heading the ratings on 111 points.

"It's (the Merlion Trophy) a tad earlier than we would have liked but it's the right race at the (weight-for-age) conditions," said Meagher on Tuesday.

"He (Lim's Kosciuszko ) has never raced on the Polytrack before but has to start somewhere this year.

"We don't want him to carry 59kgs and give weight to some good horses in a handicap race, so it's the best race for him with one eye on bigger Group races down the year."

Meagher also has the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) on March 25 and to a lesser extent – given the handicap conditions - the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) on April 22 on the agenda. While the Hong Kong experience was a tough one, he thinks Lim's Kosciuszko is ready to show why he is one of the top gallopers in Singapore.

"The Hong Kong Kong trip took a lot out of him," he explained.

"Not just the run, but also the travel and quarantine. We had two setbacks at the quarantine station in Singapore when he got back – not ideal - and he had to do an extra seven days.

"But he's a tough bugger – never stopped eating - and showed in his trial the other day that he is in good order."

The five-year-old son of Kermadec won barrier trial no 3 on January 26 in the fastest time of the day (59.44secs) while 'untouched' under race jockey Wong Chin Chuen, beating fellow Merlion Trophy contenders Rocket Star, Celavi, Ocean Crossing, Gold Star and Surpass Natural in the process.

However, Meagher – while more than happy with how Lim's Kosciuszko pulled up after the trial - knew that race conditions are different and expects a tough outing on Saturday.

"He's up against some bloody good Polytrack horses and it won't be easy," he continued.

"But again, we have bigger fish to fry this campaign. My dad (ex-Kranji trainer John Meagher) always said they (horses) can't win every race. He should race well but if he pulls up good after Saturday, I'll be a happy man."

One man missing on Saturday is Meagher's good friend and Lim's Kosciuszko's regular rider Danny Beasley, but the experienced hoop will be watching on with more than a passing interest from Australia.

"I speak with Danny most days," said the young Australian conditioner.

"It was an end of an era after Hong Kong with Danny heading home but we still bounce ideas off each other and he's having a great time with his family and riding at the country tracks for old mates.

"It's going to be different this year but CC (Chin Chuen) (Wong) has won two Group 1 races (2022 Lion City Cup on Lim's Kosciuszko and the Kranji Mile on Lim's Lightning) for (owner) Mr Lim (Siah Mong), so he was the obvious choice for the ride on 'Kosi'.

"(Jockey) Marc (Lerner) has taken over Danny's role in the stable on a day-to-day basis and as senior rider. He's (Lerner) a good bloke and we have really clicked. He's riding well, is really committed to the stable and is a good sounding board for me and the staff."

Of the Hong Kong experience, the ultra-competitive Meagher was still disappointed but would not have done much differently in hindsight.

"Of course, I was disappointed with the result," Meagher reflected.

"But mostly for Mr Lim, (racing manager) Mick (Dittman), Danny and his (Lim's Kosciuszko) fans in Singapore. That was tough.

"He peaked twice last year for the (Group 1 Singapore) Derby (1800m) and the Lion City Cup (1200m) so he probably had enough, but you don't get too many opportunities like Hong Kong.

"The experience was unbelievable and we had the horse as good as we could get him on the day, but the reality is that he's probably not up to that standard yet.

"I spoke to (jockey) Brett Prebble after the race - he probably knows Hong Kong racing better than most - and he told me that we didn't train him (Lim's Kosciuszko) specifically for that race (Longines Hong Kong Sprint) because of the late invite and that's what you have to do at that level.

"But we learned heaps and Lim's Kosciuszko only had 14 starts so he can improve and so can we.

"We did think about Dubai (Dubai World Cup on March 25) but will concentrate on the local Group races this year – the Kranji Mile is his main aim - but nothing is off the agenda in the future."