Kosciuszko’s need for speed towards Derby – and extra Mile

By Michael Lee, Singapore Turf Club

Singapore Derby talks may be in the air for Lim’s Kosciuszko, but trainer Daniel Meagher is still sticking to the tried-and-tested speed contests for his unbeaten rising star.

Only two weeks after the Derby idea was first mooted in the wake of the Kermadec four-year-old’s sterling win in a Class 1 over 1400m – at his first foray beyond 1200m – on Chinese New Year day on February 2, Meagher has picked this Saturday’s Class 2 race over 1200m for the seven-from-seven mission.

Has the Australian handler had second thoughts about the Derby and decided to not depart from a proven formula? No, he said, and he is definitely staying the big-race course – and then some.

The four-year-old showpiece is still on Lim’s Kosciuszko’s radar, but Meagher rationalised that with the 1800m contest not upon them until July, he would still prefer to keep him “short and sharp” on the way there.

“After his last win, I’ve had a look at the programme again as I don’t want to rise him in distance just yet. We’re still a fair way away from the Derby target,” said Meagher, the current premiership leader on 10 winners.

“He’s four-and-a-half years old, but he’s still lightly-raced. He’s sound, very good mentally, so he’s ready for racing, and we have to continue racing him.

“His fitness is still very good. He will get back in class and will carry 4 ½ kilos more, and the 1200m will keep him short and sharp.

“If I extend him to 1600m now, he’ll have to come back in distance later and I felt that would be pushing his limits. The whole idea is to keep him racing and progressing towards those bigger targets down the road.”

Targets, plural?

Meagher has obviously been so taken by the ease of that last two-length stroll, albeit with no weight (50kgs) on his back (lightweight jockey Wong Chin Chuen replaced regular partner Danny Beasley) that it has not just sparked Derby dreams alone.

“All going well, he will get ready in time, not just for the Derby (July 17), but we can also look at the Kranji Mile (May 21) as his first big target if he progresses well, and the Stewards’ Cup (1600m) one month later (June 26), which is three weeks before the Derby,” said Meagher.

“I think he will get the mile comfortably. We’ll get to these distances in a few months’ time, but for now, I just want to keep him stimulated over short and sharp sprints.”

Meagher is magnanimous about the real possibility Lim’s Kosciuszko’s bubble will burst one day, maybe as soon as this Saturday, but one could still sense that wish for the shield of invincibility to carry on for as long as possible.

“I’d love him to win on Saturday, but the reality is he’s meeting some of the best horses in Singapore even if he’s dropping back to Class 2 on paper. It won’t be easy,” he said.

“This will be his toughest test without a doubt. Danny and I agreed that at some stage, he would have to take on the better horses.

“Apart from Lim’s Lightning, and some of our good horses like Top Knight and Katak, this is the best field he’s ever run in, this could’ve been a Group 1 race.

“I still think Rocket Star will be his biggest threat. Ricardo (Le Grange) has done a fantastic job to bring him back in magnificent order, his barrier trial was super.

“We’ll give it a go, and if he loses his winning streak, it’s okay as it’s all about him progressing on a programme towards those mile to 1800m races. To keep him ticking over is the main objective.

“To have Danny (aboard at four of his six wins) back on him gives me a lot of confidence, too. He’s played a terrific part in the journey of this horse, riding him every day.

“The horse has done a great job so far, time will tell how good he really is. He used to be off and on, when he was still growing, but he seems a pretty seasoned horse now.

“He’s pulled up so good after his last start that it makes it so much easier for me to plan his races.”