Lim's Kosciuszko Dazzles in Lion City Cup

Four weeks after triumphing in an 1800-metre Derby, Singapore’s superstar Karaka graduate Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) has taken a big step down in distance and conquered some of Kranji’s swiftest sprinters.

The four-year-old was a scintillating winner of Sunday’s S$300,000 Lion City Cup (1200m), improving his career record to 10 wins from only 13 starts. Offered at Karaka 2019 and at the Ready to Run Sale, Lim’s Kosciuszko has now earned S$746,638 – the equivalent of NZ$843,689. 

With a number of his rivals showing blistering early speed in Sunday’s sprint showpiece, Lim’s Kosciuszko settled just in behind the front-runners in fifth spot for jockey CC Wong.

Briefly impeded when a rival angled out just in front of him at the top of the home straight, Lim’s Kosciuszko quickly regathered himself, pinned his ears back and accelerated.

He stormed home over the top of King Arthur (I Am Invincible) for a brilliant and emphatic win, scoring by three-quarters of a length and stopping the clock at a slick 1:08.91.

“I think he’s the best horse in Singapore,” Wong said. “He’s turned into a machine, with a button – you can turn him on and off.

“After he jumped out of the gate, he usually has a lot of speed, but now you can switch him off easily and I had him just behind the speed travelling beautifully.”

Trainer Daniel Meagher was taken aback by his stable star’s remarkable Derby-Lion City Cup double.

“Very special, isn’t he,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of people to thank – Mr Lim (Siah Mong, owner), Mick Dittman, and most importantly the staff, as well as a special mention for Danny Beasley (jockey). He’s a massive part of this, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without him.

“It’s disappointing he couldn’t ride because Lim’s Lightning (Lope De Vega) was scratched. But CC has done a great job, and I’m so rapt for Mr Lim and all the staff.

“He was very fit, coming back from 1800 metres. We had a good talk and thought, ‘Why don’t we just go to the Lion City Cup?’ Danny got off him after a soft trial and said he was flying.

“He’s a very good horse – no one can pot him now. He’s done us proud, he’s done Singapore proud and we all should be really happy.”

Raced by the Lim’s Stable, Lim’s Kosciuszko was a trial winner at Te Teko for breeders Trelawney Stud before being purchased by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.