Photo: STC
Newly crowned Singapore Horse Of The Year Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) showed his dominance in the S$300,000 Raffles Cup (1600m) with a comfortable win at Kranji on Saturday.
Already an effortless winner in the Merlion Trophy over 1200m on February 4 this year, Lim’s Kosciuszko went to the start of the first feature race of the season as the odds-on favourite.
All eyes were on the horse carrying the number one saddlecloth and with a confident jockey Wong Chin Chuen in the saddle, Lim’s Kosciuszko did not disappoint.
The final margin of two-and-a-half lengths flattered the other runners as Lim’s Kosciuszko was eased down near the post but Katak was gallant to hold on in second place with the fast-finishing Sacred Croix (NZ) (Savabeel) another neck away in third.
Jockey CC Wong credited Lim’s Kosciuszko response over any distance as his best asset.
“This horse is the complete version. He just does everything that we want. He is the best horse. I believe a lot of feature race (wins) are coming for him.
“He’s always got a high cruising speed, and be it over 1200m or 1600m, he still gives you the same kind of finish and response. This is the specialty of this horse and I’m going to enjoy the moment.”
Winning trainer Daniel Meagher agreed with Wong that more feature races are Lim’s Kosciuszko’s for the taking, but he was still in awe of the improvement the ‘little horse’ has made.
“That Hong Kong trip has really made him a proper horse.
“We had a beautiful run, he did everything right and he just got better and better.
“CC rode him beautifully and it’s great to win.”
“The Kranji Mile will be his next start and we’ll be heading there for sure.”
Bred by Trelawney Stud, Lim’s Kosciuszko was passed in at the New Zealand Bloodstock Sales and then sold privately after winning his first and only trial in New Zealand when under the care of Clayton Chipperfield. -NZ Racing Desk