A Class 2 race over 1200m on February 19 felt like a safer option for Lim’s Kosciuszko, but trainer Daniel Meagher decided to take a bit of a punt by raising the unbeaten galloper both in grade and distance in this Wednesday’s $100,000 Class 1 event over 1400m.
The Kermadec four-year-old, who is named after Australia's highest mountain, brought up the last of his five wins, all exclusively over 1200m on turf, in a lesser Class 3 race on January 15.
Not only is he going to skip one class in that race on Chinese New Year's second day, but he is also testing his mettle over a trip he had never tried before.
They represent two unknown quantities, but Meagher said they were calculated risks he was comfortable taking for his rising star, even if he knows he is throwing him in at the deep end against heavyweights such as Kharisma, Top Knight and Big Hearted.
"This race came to my mind a week after he won his last race, in which he did so well," said the Australian conditioner.
"There was a Class 2 race over 1200m in February where he would get one or two barrier trials in the lead-up, or get only one trial and go for this Class 1 race where he carries only 50kgs, but he would be stepping up in distance to 1400m.
"In the end we decided why not try him in a race which is at the highest level, without being a Group race.
"Danny (Beasley) rode him in his trial (fifth to Sacred Gift on January 27) and gave a positive report. We had a good chat and we think he's good enough to run 1400m.
"He's by Kermadec, who interestingly, produces foals who are more mile plus while the speed is on his dam side (x Keeper). He can either lead or sit in second or fourth spot.
"I've always believed he's not a one-trick pony and he can see out 1400m no problem. It's just that we haven't done it simply because the opportunity had not risen until now.
"At the end of the day, he has done what we've asked him to do so far. He's fit and ready, ticks all the boxes, so why keep them at home?
"I remember during the days of my dad (John Meagher) and Laurie Laxon, they ran their horses when such good races came up. They didn't have to think about it."
The one race Meagher didn't have second thoughts for Lim's Kosciuszko is the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on August 14.
"Wednesday's race will tell us where he's at, but regardless of how he does, we'll be pressing on towards the Lion City Cup," said Meagher who made his Group 1 breakthrough in last year's renewal with Lim's Lightning.
"CC Wong (Chin Chuen) will ride him as Dan (Beasley) can't make 50kgs. CC is riding very well and he rides work for me every morning."
Meagher reported that Lim's Lightning was on course for his comeback in March, even if he has been showing traces of mucus of late.
"Lim's Lightning is going well. I've picked a Class 1 race over 1200m on March 19 for him, and then he will head towards the Kranji Mile (May 21)," he said.
"He's had a bit of mucus of late, which he's never had before. We've scoped him and he's clean, so we're not too concerned at this stage."
After returning from a failed trip to Australia, the six-year-old son of Lope De Vega went on to take all before him last year, landing three Group 1s among his six wins, including a first-ever Lion City Cup (1200m)-Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) double.
