Trainer Dan Meagher has decided to remain in Melbourne with Lim’s Kosciuszko, opting out of a potential Group 1 appearance in Brisbane due to logistical hurdles.
The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) was under serious consideration for the Singapore star, but instead he will line up in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Although eager to showcase Lim’s Kosciuszko in Queensland, Meagher said the expense couldn’t be justified when the gelding was the only horse scheduled to fly north.
After achieving 22 victories across 30 starts in Singapore and Hong Kong, Lim’s Kosciuszko made his Australian debut in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington on May 17, finishing a credible third behind Title Fighter.
“He had a jump-out the other day at Pakenham and it was what I wanted to see,” Meagher said.
“I hadn’t seen that in his three jump-outs since coming back to Australia.
“He needed that race to stimulate him, get him up and going, because he hadn’t done anything for seven months.
“I think it worked, as since then he has been outstanding.”
Set to carry 63kg this weekend, Lim’s Kosciuszko will be partnered by apprentice Ryan Houston, who claims 2kg.
Meagher had hoped to secure the services of Tom Prebble, citing the close family ties between his father John and Tom’s father Brett, but the timing didn’t work out.
“Because it was a late decision not to go to Brisbane, I missed out on Tommy who would have been number one pick because of our relationship with his dad Brett,” Meagher explained.
“But he already had a ride.
“Ryan is a good rider and I’m very happy to have him.”
The Sandown event is part of the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series. The top two finishers will qualify for the final on July 5 at Flemington, and Meagher has his sights set firmly on that goal.
“I had him down to go to the Stradbroke but there was a little issue,” Meagher said.
“So, I thought it was better to keep him here, keep him in our own backyard and that Winter Championship program looks more suitable for him.
“There are races for him in July and August, and he’ll get his chance to run in a big one, hopefully.”
Meagher will also run Lim’s Ida on Saturday. The gelding finished last in his Caulfield return, but the trainer admits that was down to a misjudgment in preparation.
“I ran him over 1400 metres on a hard track first-up with no blinkers after 12 months without racing,” Meagher said.
“He’s since come out and had a jump-out and looked really good in it.
“I want him to get back into a little bit of form, and I’ll find a race for him, but he needs to get his fitness up.”
