Seven on the bounce for Lim’s Kosciuszko
Danny Beasley was in awe when he gave Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) a squeeze inside the concluding stages of the $85,000 Class 2 race over 1200 metres on Saturday.
Just like everybody else, the Australian jockey was blown away by the rising star’s impeccable record of seven wins from as many starts at Kranji, but what really had Beasley shaking his head in disbelief as he jumped off was the instant reaction he got when he stepped on the gas at the 400 metres.
“From the 400 metres to the 200 metres, he probably did it in 9.5 seconds when I said ‘let’s go’,” he said.
“I then switched him off knowing he had the race won. Don’t get me wrong, the runner-up (Gold Star) ran a great race, but I was in neutral gear so to speak inside the last 200 metres.”
Lim’s Kosciuszko held Gold Star (Redente) at bay by half a length, while the battle for third place was won by the resuming Rocket Star (Star Witness), who lost no admirers with his first-up effort from a long layoff (seven months) due to respiratory issues.
Unsurprisingly, following the sizzling pace set from the get-go, Lim’s Kosciuszko clocked a time hovering around record time – 1.08.65, half a second slower than Spalato (Elusive City) in 2014.
Winning trainer Daniel Meagher joined Beasley in his enthusiastic post-race assessment of their new pin-up horse – arguably still a long way from the multiple-Group 1 winning deeds of their undisputed kingpin Lim’s Lightning (Lope De Vega), but the happy headache of having the pair on a collision course towards the same race is real – the local Group 1 Kranji Mile (Listed, 1600m) on May 21.
“We’ll look at the Class 1 1200 metres on March 19 for him next, and then if he goes through his grades, it’s on to the Kranji Mile,” Meagher said.
“If he does, then Danny will have a problem (deciding between Lim’s Lightning and Lim’s Kosciuszko in the $1 million race), but we’re not at that stage yet. Let’s just enjoy this seven from seven for today.”
Alqantur keeps it up with second win
Promising three-year-old Alqantur (Star Turn) showed his impressive Restricted Maiden win from four weeks ago was no fluke after he franked that form with a two-from-two on Saturday.
The three-year-old was without much surprise the odds-on favourite on $8 in the $75,000 Novice race over 1400 metres, but the jaws of defeat did come flirting a little closer this time.
The Al Rashid Stable-owned chestnut finally hit top gear to go and salute one length clear of Deception (I Am Invincible) with Chivalric Knight (Rothesay) another head away in third. The winning time was 1.22.05 for the 1400 metres on the Long Course.
Michael Clements saw plenty of merit in the second win considering he was entitled to peter out of it after a tough trip matching motors with War Commander (American Pharoah) for most of the race.
“It was a strong-paced race, and I thought he looked vulnerable when he hit the front too early,” said the 2020 Singapore champion trainer.
“He again looked vulnerable at the 200 metres but he dug deep and started to pull away. He was doing his best work towards the end.
“I feel he can improve further after that win, but he’s definitely a horse with qualities and I can set him for the three-year-old races later, as well as Mariana Trench.”