Lim's Kosciuszko will carry topweight in a race at Sandown rather than contest the Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane.
The logistics of flying north to Brisbane for a Group 1 contest was too tough forcing trainer Dan Meagher to make the decision to stay at home with Lim’s Kosciuszko.
The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday had been on Lim’s Kosciuszko radar, but instead he will remain in Melbourne to contest the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Meagher was keen to show off the Singapore champion in Brisbane, but in the end, being the only horse flying to Brisbane this week, he could not justify the expense.
A 22-time winner from 30 starts in Singapore and Hong Kong, Lim’s Kosciuszko made his Australian debut in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington on May 17.
Lim’s Kosciuszko finished third behind Title Fighter and Meagher said it was a performance that had switched the gelding on.
“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 has been burdened with 63kg on Saturday and will have the services of 2kg claiming apprentice Ryan Houston.
Meagher had hoped to book Tom Prebble with Meagher’s father John and Prebble’s father Brett having a great trainer-jockey association over two decades.
“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.”
Saturday’s race is a heat of the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series with further heats programmed for Flemington on Saturday week and the final on July 5 at Flemington.
Finishing first or second provides participants a start in the final with Meagher eager to aim Lim’s Kosciuszko at that race.
“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 in Saturday’s contest who finished last at Caulfield in his only outing after returning to Australia.
While disappointing, Meagher said it was trainer error.
“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 look 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.”
