Singapore Derby winner for Kermadec

Lim’s Kosciuszko was offered by his breeders Trelawney Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2019 and at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. He has now had 12 starts for nine wins, two placings and S$585,988 in stakes for Lim’s Stable and trainer Daniel Meagher.

Sent out as favourite for Sunday’s prestigious classic in the hands of leading jockey Danny Beasley, Lim’s Kosciuszko enjoyed a smooth run in second behind the pace-setting Con Speranza (NZ) (Tavistock).

Lim’s Kosciuszko changed gears and quickly took command in the straight, powering clear in an impressive move.

Relentless (Hallowed Crown) and Super Impact (NZ) (Real Impact) came at him with strong challenges inside the final 200 metres, but the favourite kept finding and managed to hold them out by a head.

“Danny rode him beautifully,” Meagher said. “We’ve been trying to get him to settle in his trackwork. It’s been difficult, but teamwork makes the dream come true. It’s fantastic and a very important win.

“There was a lot of pressure, knowing he’s more of a 1200 to 1400-metre horse and this wasn’t his best distance, so this is an amazing thrill.”

Beasley was delighted to finally break his Derby drought, having previously placed in two in Sydney, one in Brisbane and one in Singapore.

“Derbies have been a jinx for me,” he said. “It really means a lot to win one, especially with the circumstances of retiring and having a few years off. The stable’s been up and down this year, but this little horse was always our Derby horse, and we just had to get him here.

“His last start (second in the Stewards’ Cup) was a real learning curve. I went too hard on him, but I wanted to test him to see what we could get away with. We got beaten, but we learned a lot. It helped us win today – we put the crossover nose band on him, got a beautiful run in the race and he gave a great kick. I wouldn’t have wanted it to be 1805 metres, but we got it done. This is right up there.”

Lim’s Kosciuszko is by Kermadec (NZ), who himself was a $260,000 purchase by Mulcaster Bloodstock from Wentwood Grange’s draft at Karaka in 2013. He earned over A$2.8 million on the racetrack, headed by Group One victories in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) and George Main Stakes (1600m), and he is now standing at Darley Stud. His 53 winners, five at stakes level, include Australian Group One heroines Montefilia and Willowy.

The dam of Lim’s Kosciuszko is Jacquetta (NZ) (Keeper), who won the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton as a two-year-old and placed in the Group Two Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m).

Lim’s Kosciuszko is Jacquetta’s first foal to race, and she has subsequently had fillies by Almanzor sell for $60,000 at Karaka 2021 and $55,000 at Karaka 2022.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s Singapore Derby third placegetter Super Impact is also a Karaka graduate, being bought for $250,000 from Bradbury Park’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2019. His nine-start career has produced three wins in New Zealand (under his previous name, Solid Impact) along with three placings, earning prizemoney in excess of $100,000.