Singapore’s reigning Horse of the Year Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) put his rivals to the sword when winning Saturday’s S$1 million Kranji Mile (1600m), setting a new track record in the process.
The Daniel Meagher-trained five-year-old, who did his early education in New Zealand, posted a record time over 1600m on the Long Course of 1 min 32.81secs, which shaved 0.44 secs off the previous record.
That was set by stablemate, Lim’s Lightning in last year’s edition of the Kranji Mile, with the combination of trainer Meagher, jockey Wong Chin Chuen and owner Lim Siah Mong going back-to-back.
The race was put to bed quickly when Lim’s Kosciuszko presented with 350m to run, going on to defeat Cyclone (Pierro) and Mr Malek (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who made late ground.
Photo: supplied
“He’s a privilege and pleasure to train,” said an emotional Meagher post race.
“I’m very lucky to have him. He’s a super horse. He did everything we asked him to do and basically trained himself. We just had to point him in the right direction.
“A big thanks to (track rider) Razif (Rahman) who rides him, (groom) Sham who looks after him and everybody at the stable. It’s just a great privilege to train a horse like this for Mr Lim.”
The son of Kermadec has now won amassed over S$1.5 million in prizemoney and will most likely head to the Lion City Cup (1200m) on August 27.
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.
Lim’s Kosciuszko is the first foal out of Keeper mare Jacquetta, winner of the Listed Welcome Stakes, as well as a Group Two placegetter.