3 minute read

Bilingual presenter, Raymond Yong, stands alone in his bold prediction that freshly-crowned Horse of the Year – Lim’s Kosciuszko – will find one better in the $300,000 Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

Yong – who was in terrific tipping form last weekend when he found seven winners for his faithful followers – suggested that the Ricardo Le Grange-trained Hongkong Great can spring a surprise in the Raffles Cup.

The champion stayer did battle two starts back - albeit on a rain-affected track – but bounced back to his best form after he finished second to Street Of Dreams over the mile in the Kranji Stakes A race on March 4.

Hongkong Great gave weight – six kilos – to the winner on that occasion; a point not lost on Yong.

"He (Hongkong Great ) was outstanding when he won the (Group 1) Singapore Gold Cup (last November) carrying weight and was narrowly beaten (by half-a-length) with the topweight at his last start over the mile," said Yong.

"I think he can go one better. The danger is Lim's Kosciuszko. He's the Horse of the Year, won the (Group 3) Merlion Trophy (1200m) and can manage the step-up in distance.

"Mr Black Back is the value (pick). He is still lightly raced in Singapore, has two Class records to his name (the Class 3 over 1800m on the Long Course and the Class 4 over 1400m on the Short Course) and we haven't seen the best of him yet.

"He might just be able to steal the limelight from the higher-rated gallopers."

Yong's Chinese broadcast team colleagues – Collin Fan and Kew Lee Teng – both agreed that Hongkong Great is in the mix but they are staying loyal to Lim's Kosciuszko.

"I must admit I have always preferred Lim's Kosciuszko," said Kew, the only female presenter at Kranji.

"Not only because of his outstanding record but also because of his resilience. I think the newly-crowned Horse of the Year can live up to his title.

"The most dangerous and threatening horse is Hongkong Great. With his return to form at his last race, his run in the Raffles Cup will be highly anticipated."

Fan – who will call the race for the Chinese audience - throws Mr Black Back  into exotic calculations amid a significant gear change.

"Lim's Kosciuszko will be most people's favourite and he was impressive in last week's trial (finished sixth behind Minister in trial no. 3 on March 16)," said Fan.

"Katak and Hongkong Great will both contribute to the speed but Mr Black Back is the trackwork star with blinkers on for the first time."

From the English team, racing presenter Scott Bailey – who will provide valuable parade ring comments on all the runners throughout the day – has the 'little horse' as his top pick.

"Lim's Kosciuszko does things that no horse his size could do and simply for that fact, it's hard to go past him," he said.

"He's fresh after claiming the Merlion Trophy and from barrier three, he should have a sweet run for (jockey) CC (Wong Chin Chuen).

"It's a solid field and Hongkong Great was spectacular last start with no luck and could have finished closer. His stablemate, Katak, will have his day in the sun soon.

"I rate Mr Black Back as more of a horse that suits the handicaps (races) but for value, I think Circuit Mission can be included in the multiples."

Pat Comerford – who will call the race for the English audience - agreed with Bailey on the winner but is keen on Katak to keep him honest.

"Lim's Kosciuszko is the class horse and he's the proven horse in this field, winning 12 from 15 (races)," he said.

"Katak is the biggest danger. He was super impressive on what we saw at his only run this year when he carried 59.5kgs and he drops weight here (58kgs) at the weight-for-age conditions."

From across the causeway, Suresh Ragavan believes the top three pick themselves with one to watch – Mr Black Back - at value.

"I am confident Lim's Kosciuszko  stands an excellent chance of winning," said the TrackTalk guest tipster.

"He's versatile winning from 1200m to 1800m and showed that he is an elite winning the Lion City Cup (1200m) last year. The pace of this race will also suit him.

"That pace will come from Hongkong Great and his stablemate Katak looks to have an explosive turn of foot.

"Mr Black Back wearing the blinkers is the surprise danger to the top three and we can expect an exciting finish to this race."

As for me, the Raffles Cup is a race between two.

While I have a healthy respect for Mr Black Back, Hongkong Great and will throw So Hi Class into the skinny end of exotics at any old odds, I cannot split Lim's Kosciuszko and Katak for top honours.

Lim's Kosciuszko is a wonder and gets my nod. The champion is small in stature but yet big-hearted. He has won at Group 1 weight-for-age level in the Lion City Cup last year and also amazingly won the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) less than a month prior to the Lion City Cup.

Katak is flying, though. His first-up run after an injury layoff was extremely good and had most of this lot covered easily when he finished second to the smart Street Of Dreams.

He carried 59.5kgs on that occasion while giving the winner a massive nine kilos. Ricardo has freshened him with a nice barrier trial and we can expect both support and a huge run from him with jockey Vlad Duric onboard.