Lim’s Kosciuszko takes trip to Caulfield for 2025 Sir John Monash Stakes
Trainer Dan Meagher is confident a freshened Lim’s Kosciuszko can produce his best form in Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Following a month-long break, the multiple stakes winner drops in distance and returns to weight-for-age conditions, a setting Meagher believes gives his charge a real chance.
Lim’s Kosciuszko enjoyed an illustrious career in Singapore and Hong Kong with 22 wins from 30 starts, and has raced twice since relocating to Australia, with his most recent run at Sandown proving a learning experience.
“He was disappointing on face value last time but at the end of the day he (Ryan Houston) had to make a decision, and he led, which was fine,” Meagher told RSN.
“But he had to go up that hill, he was carrying topweight, and he hadn’t led for two-and-a-half years, and it probably didn’t suit him to do that on that day.”
Recognising his horse’s advancing age, Meagher opted to freshen him up and target a race that doesn’t require him to give away weight.
“He had been racing in weight-for-age races for the last three years in Singapore and Hong Kong, so giving weight to horses when he is getting older is probably not ideal for him anymore,” Meagher added.
“I thought this race, being weight-for-age, gave him his best opportunity to win.”
Although Lim’s Kosciuszko has never raced below 1200m, his trainer believes the shorter trip could work in his favour given the fresh legs and no recent jump-out.
“I think sometimes these older horses enjoy not being extended in distance and they like to come back in distance and have the fresh legs,” Meagher said.
Jason Maskiell has been booked to ride in place of Ryan Houston for Saturday’s contest.
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