No 2025 Stradbroke Handicap for Lim’s Kosciuszko

A start in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) has been ruled out for Lim’s Kosciuszko, with trainer Dan Meagher confirming the horse will stay in Melbourne for Saturday’s Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Sandown instead.

Meagher explained that transporting the Singapore champion to Brisbane proved too complicated, especially with Lim’s Kosciuszko being the only runner slated to travel from his stable.

Fresh off a strong Australian debut when third in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington behind Title Fighter, Meagher is confident the gelding has improved significantly in recent weeks.

“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.”

Lim’s Kosciuszko will carry 63kg at Sandown and will be ridden by apprentice Ryan Houston, who claims 2kg.

While Meagher had initially hoped to book Tom Prebble, his late decision to skip Brisbane meant Prebble had already taken another ride.

“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 said.

“But he already had a ride.

“Ryan is a good rider and I’m very happy to have him.”

This weekend’s event is part of the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series, with Flemington heats and a lucrative final set for July 5.

“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 saddle Lim’s Ida, who was well beaten at Caulfield in his return but has shown improvement since.

“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.”