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Different reads but broadcast teams on Kosciuszko’s side in QEII Cup

3 minute read

It is the $300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Cup (1800m) on Saturday, but given Lim’s Kosciuszko’s unbeaten record in 2023 - and the fact he is also gunning for a unprecedented clean sweep of the weight-for-age Group 1 races in a single season - it could get a bit boring for all concerned.

LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO winning the RAFFLES CUP GROUP 1
LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO winning the RAFFLES CUP GROUP 1 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

Not for the Lim's Stable, trainer Daniel Meagher, jockey Wong Chin Chuen and his legion of fans, but for the broadcast teams who can try all they like to find something to beat the star son of Kermadec, but to no avail.

To look at something slightly left field, the race callers were asked how they thought the race may pan out from go-to-whoa. While the consensus was that Lim's Kosciuszko  would win on paper, there were some differing views on how we got there.

Pat Comerford, who will be calling his last Group 1 race in Singapore before moving to Dubai at the end of the month – thought the likely favourite will eat up the trip this time round after he battled late to take out the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) last year.

"Hongkong Great finally gets a suitable distance and will set a solid tempo up front," said the Australian.

"While it's not his (Hongkong Great) 'grand final', he will be the one they have to run down, but 'Kosi' (Lim's Kosciuszko) should get every chance from gate four to settle a couple of lengths off.

"However, unlike the Derby where he hit his limit on the line, I feel we will see an older and more mature horse savaging the line this time. I will be looking out for Cyclone and Mr Malek late. Cracking race!"

Kew Lee Teng – who will call the feature race for the Chinese audience – was more succinct, but shared the same sentiment as her English counterpart.

"Hongkong Great could lead the race from barrier two," said Kew.

"But 'Kosi' will follow behind and kick at the 300m and should win by at least two lengths."

Scott Bailey – an astute judge of tempo given his time in the saddle as a jockey in Australia – suggested it will be a sprint home on the Long Course.

"Not a very different race to the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (1600m) a few weeks ago, minus Golden Monkey," explained Bailey.

"You would think Hongkong Great would take up the lead with Lim's Kosciuszko sitting on his girth and tracking the speed. I'm tipping they only go a moderate gallop in the first half of the race, with a good sprint home.

"Being on the Long Course, 'Kosi' will have to bide his time and not hit the front too early because a horse like Cyclone or Invincible Tycoon could be winding up late. I think the champ wins by a length and a half."

Collin Fan – part of the Chinese broadcast team - also believed it will be Hongkong Great that takes up the early running.

With the same running style he normally has in the early stage, Hongkong Great should lead," he said.

"Invincible Tycoon finished second in the Raffles Cup and should run on to contribute to the forecast again while Cyclone, who's up in distance, will try to catch them late.

"But Lim's Kosciuszko will continue his winning campaign in the (Singapore) Triple Crown series (the third and final leg being the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m on November 11)."

Raymond Yong – who works on both broadcast teams – thought another on-pace influence would be the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Cyclone.

"Hongkong Great or Cyclone might try to get in front and set a pace for the rest to follow," said the bilingual presenter.

"Lim's Kosciuszko will likely follow whoever that leads and try to find cover. He will find the extra burst in the final furlong and make a clean sweep of the feature races."

Media tipster Suresh Ragavan is in Yong's camp with regards to Cyclone racing on the pace and added some colour to his "phantom call" of the big race.

"And away they go in the QEII Cup and there are a few jostling for the lead early," said the man across the causeway.

"Hongkong Great and Cyclone would settle in front while (jockey) CC (Wong) smokes his pipe on 'Kosi' a length-and-a-half behind the leading pair. The early pace is good and the Burridge duo of Mr Malek and Invincible Tycoon are handy enough in the running, followed by Relentless and the rest of the field, with seven lengths covering top to bottom.

"Turning into the straight, Lim's Kosciuszko starts his run and leaves the field chasing shadows. Cyclone battles on bravely and Invincible Tycoon finishes fast down the outside, but the favourite wins by two lengths in a canter."

Suresh is a tough act to follow, but I think this race has more twists than turns.

Firstly, there are eight jockeys and five trainers involved in this race that know they cannot beat the champ if it is a sit-and-sprint race.

So, expect someone to take on Hongkong Great early – not Cyclone but maybe Circuit Mission - and that could make things very interesting if they set a cracking tempo in the backstraight.

Wong will endeavour to ride Lim's Kosciuszko as quietly as he can early while keeping in touch with the leaders, and my guess is that he will want to pull the trigger as late as he can. That would give the stayers their chances to do their best work late on the Long Course, with Cyclone the pick of that bunch.

So while I think Lim's Kosciuszko can win, I am tipping Cyclone gives him a big scare late in the race.


Singapore Turf Club

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