Former Singapore superstar Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) may have found his old spark, as he prepares for his second Australian start on Saturday.
The Dan Meagher-trained seven-year-old was a potential starter in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm this weekend, but a logistical issue led to that plan being aborted and instead, he’ll line up at Sandown in a 1400-metre handicap en route to the Winter Championship over 1600m at Flemington.
Lim’s Kosciuszko finished third in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington at his Australian debut, where he raced in restricted room at a vital stage of the race.
“He was probably stiff not winning but at the end of the day, he had a run where he didn’t have a gut-buster and that’s a great thing, because he came through it really well,” Meagher said.
“He pulled up terrific, he had a lovely jumpout the other day.
“It was very much like his old self when he was back in Singapore, his first three jumpouts I was a bit worried, he wasn’t showing much fire there. I knew that race would tell us where we’re going and it really stimulated him.
“He’s come out of that race in great order, as good as he’s been for quite a long time actually, so I’m very happy with where he’s at.”
Bred by Brent and Cherry Taylor’s 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.