LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO CLAIMS FIRST QEII CUP FOR MEAGHER

S'pore star bounces back from Raffles Cup defeat with win in penultimate Group I race

- Michael Lee

Trainer Daniel Meagher finally beat the Queen Elizabeth II Cup jinx, both in spectacular and timely fashion, on Sept 7.

By saddling the first and second favourites in Lim's Kosciuszko ($8) and Lim's Saltoro ($23), Meagher knew it was now or never that he could finally claim the only one missing from his already impressive haul of 15 Group 1 wins.

In the end, it was, aptly, Singapore's own King of Kranji, Lim's Kosciuszko, who again turned stable hero in the royally named race.

The Kermadec seven-year-old produced his trademark burst of acceleration at the 300m to give the Australian handler his first success in the classic named in honour of the late monarch.

The famous Victorian racing family name 21 years after his father John snared his only QEII Cup win with Exaggerate in 2003 – will also be etched as the last-ever QEII Cup-winning trainer, with Singapore racing ending on Oct 5.

Fittingly, the $300,000 race over 1,800m, which was in its 53rd edition since the inaugural 1972 race to mark Her Majesty's first of two Singapore visits, took place one day before the queen's second death anniversary.