Photo: STC
Hot favourite Lim’s Kosciuszko still kept his unbeaten record intact with a third consecutive win in as many starts in Singapore on Saturday.
Graduating to open company in the S$50,000 Cash Luck 2013 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m after two wins in Restricted Maiden and Novice company (also over six furlongs), the Kermadec three-year-old was widely expected to score again nonetheless, as reflected by his ultra-short odds of $6, but Hotshots Slam (Krisna Thangamani) certainly gave his backers and trainer Daniel Meagher a few jittery moments inside the last furlong.
The lamplighter from the getaway, Hotshots Slam, who had Lim’s Kosciuszko on his girth the whole way, put up a surprisingly gallant dogfight when the hotpot collared him shortly after straightening.
Still, many thought Hotshots Slam, a weakening ninth against inferior cattle last time out, would quickly blend into the background once headed, but Shane Baertschiger’s game sprinter would not cower in defeat as he seemed to be picking himself off the canvas.
But when Danny Beasley finally went into overdrive with the persuader, favourite backers could breathe better as Meagher’s rising star finally edged clear to get the better of Hotshots Slam by half-a-length.
Meagher conceded the win might not have been as dominant as envisaged, but the Australian handler said it was still full of merit considering Lim’s Kosciuszko was still in the early stages of his craft as a racehorse.
“I know he beat an average field today, but he still ran good time,” he said.
“He beat seasoned good older horses for the first time, which is never easy to do for a three-year-old.
“It’s only after he takes a break after the 3YO races that he will get a chance to grow and develop further. He will next run in that (Group 3) Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on June 27.
“I still think he’s got further improvement in him. Today’s win might not have looked pretty, but it was still a good effort.
“Don’t forget he had an economical run at his first two runs and he then got going. Today he sat off the leader to improve past him in the straight, but Danny told me he was having a good look, and when he asked him to quicken, he had another look.
“He had a good blow, he’s still learning.”
With that third success, Lim’s Kosciuszko has now made around $110,000 in prizemoney for the Lim’s Stable, with obviously the promise of more to come if he keeps going on such an upward curve.
Bred by Trelawney Stud, Lim's Kosciuszko was purchased privately off the back of a trial win last year.
He is the first foal out of Keeper mare Jacquetta, winner of the Listed Welcome Stakes, as well as a Group Two placegetter. Her yearling filly by Almanzor was sold for $60,000 to Stephen Marsh and Denis Foster at this year's New Zealand Bloodstock Sale in January. -STC, Trelawney Stud