The five-year-old by Kermadec has been a sensation in Singapore this year as he won both the Group 1 Singapore Derby over 1800m in July and showed his versatility at the elite level with a win in the Group 1 Lion City Cup over 1200m in August.
The world was his oyster but it was not until Lim's Kosciuszko returned to the track last weekend and won first-up in Class 1 company over 1200m – to take his career record to 11 wins and two second placings from 14 starts - that the Hong Kong international dream was one step closer to reality.
It was an anxious wait for all concerned while Hong Kong Jockey Club officials confirmed the international invitees for the Longines Hong Kong International Races, before trainer Daniel Meagher got the exciting news on Monday.
"The official invite came on Monday and it stunned me," said Meagher on Thursday.
"It's hard to believe that it's really happening. He (Lim's Kosciuszko) deserved an invitation and we were very hopeful, but before Monday it was still a dream.
"As a trainer, you set yourself goals and to have a runner in the Hong Kong international races was one of mine."
It was remarkable given that Meagher has only been a trainer in his own right for slightly over six years and it was Lim's Kosciusko's partner in crime – Lim's Lightning – who gave the Australian trainer his first Group 1 win – another goal - in the Lion City Cup in 2021.
The two stars of the mighty Lim's Stable would go on to win four of the next five Group 1s on offer in Singapore but while they dominated the domestic feature races, taking on the best in the world in Hong Kong is on the next level, but not a daunting one for Meagher.
"No, I'm not daunted at all," he said.
"I'm humbled. It's such an honour to represent Singapore Turf Club with the people I love – (jockey) Dan (Danny Beasley), (owner) Mr Lim (Siah Mong), my staff and with the little Kiwi star (Lim's Kosciuszko), it makes this special.
"I don't have to tell you about Dan and what he means to me and the family but Mr Lim was dad's (former Kranji trainer John Meagher) biggest supporter and now for me as well.
"We have a bond and to do this for Mr Lim is very satisfying.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet but I'm hoping we can do Singapore proud."
Meagher has travelled to the Hong Kong international races before – as a 14-year-old with his father back in the 1990s - but this time the pressure is well and truly on his young shoulders.
"Yes, I went with Dad and a horse called Star Binder. A big thrill," he said.
"He (Star Binder) was competitive but it's a tough school at the Hong Kong international races.
"The local horses have a very good record in the (Hong Kong) Sprint and I see that four Japanese horses are also invited, so it will be a very good test for our boy (Lim's Kosciuszko).
"But whatever the result, it will be a learning curve for everyone. I will have my ears and eyes open and if I can learn something from the best trainers in the world, it will be more than worthwhile."
For Beasley, one of Meagher's best mates and regular partner of Lim's Kosciuszko, it was the perfect way for the popular hoop to bid farewell to Singapore racing, albeit in Hong Kong.
"I just can't believe I'm going to ride Lim's Kosciuszko in Hong Kong," said an emotional Beasley.
"We (and his wife Siti) made the decision to head back home (Wagga Wagga, Australia) during the Covid-19 lockdown but were waiting until everything had settled down in both countries.
"It was tough to be away from family during that time, so we thought the end of this season was a good time to get the kids - Mikayl (10), Phoenix (nine) and Sonique (three) – back home around their Aussie cousins.
"So this would be the last weekend I ride in Singapore but to get the opportunity to ride for my mate Daniel and Mr Lim on one of the biggest stages in world racing is surreal. I still can't believe it's happening."
Like Meagher, Beasley also had been to the Hong Kong international races previously, but just like the then 14 year-old Meagher, he was intimately involved but on the periphery.
"I went in 1996 as a track rider for (Australian trainer) Graheme Begg who won the Hong Kong (International) Bowl in 1996 with Monopolize. (Jockey) Darren Beadman rode him," he recalled.
"I was nearing the end of my apprenticeship and it was an amazing experience. I promised myself that I would ride there one day but to be honest, I thought that dream was well and truly past me.
"To get this chance at the end of my Singapore career, it just hasn't sunk in. It's a fairytale."
A quickly put together itinerary has Lim's Kosciuszko and an entourage that includes Meagher, two syces and a travelling companion (Paperback Trooper) flying there next Friday (December 2), while Beasley is booked to fly out the next day.
Right now, there is still the job at hand to leave Singapore a winner and Beasley has a very strong book of 10 rides on Saturday to do just that.
"(It'd) be nice (to win on Saturday) and hopefully we can get one," he said.
"Lim's Zoom (running in the $30,000 Class 5 race over 1200m) drops to Class 5 and he never stays long there. He's just not good enough for Class 4 these days but he's in form and gets his chance in this company.
"Lim's Fuji (running in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1400m) is a good chance too. He's improved a lot since his debut run (finished second to Star Victory on November 5). He's a nice horse going forward for Daniel and Mr Lim. He should run well.
"Lim's Passion (running in the $50,000 Class 4 division 1 race over 1000m) is up against two good horses (South Of The River and Hurricane) but he should get a good sit behind the speed and hopefully has a last crack at it.
"It would be nice to finish my time here with a winner for Daniel and Mr Lim before Hong Kong."
