KOSI & CO. GEAR UP FOR BIG DAY

Other Gold Cup hopes Lim's Saltoro, Dream Alliance, Smart Star sparkle at trials as well

- Brian Miller

Like it has always been at Kranji for the last couple of years, Lim's Kosciuszko stole the show. And this time he did not even have to knock home a win.

The Singapore superstar was at the trials on Sept 26 and, true to form, he was the focus of all attention.

In the end of that 1,000m jaunt - which was run in drizzly conditions - Lim's Kosciuszko ran fourth in that hit-out which was won by King Of Sixty-One, the mount of Ryan Curatolo.

Incidentally, Lim's Kosciuszko clocked a relaxed 1min 00.50sec for the trip.

But, for those on trackside, it was not about the time. It was all about the "great one" who will be shooting for his 23rd career win and 11th Group 1 success in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2,000m) on Oct 5.

Needless to say, Marc Lerner was in the saddle and he knew exactly what to do.

Jumping cleanly, the champ was settled in the second-last spot and stayed there - on the extreme outside - for all of the trip.