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Boom three-year-old Lim’s Kosciuszko has been sensationally pulled out of this Sunday’s $110,000 Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m).

Australian trainer Daniel Meagher made the decision to withdraw his unbeaten rising star after he picked up a few omens his last race might have taken a slight toll on him.

Sent out at prohibitive odds of $6 to reel off a three-in-a-row in a Class 4 race over 1200m at Kranji on May 22, the son of Kermadec did pull it off, but it wasn't quite the cakewalk most had expected.

The gelding was travelling well enough as he came off a handy spot, but had to outslug a very tenacious Hotshots Slam before eventually gaining the ascendancy for a half-length victory.

Four weeks have since elapsed for a bigger stage to be all set for Lim's Kosciuszko to fulfill the promise he had shown since his debut win in March. This week's event had long been pencilled in as his first significant target, but Meagher had no hesitation in pulling the pin, saying that his ward's welfare mattered more.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with him, but I felt that mentally, he didn't come out great from his last race," said the Group 1-winning trainer.

"He had a hard run at his last start, he had to fight. We've been holding him together, and gave him a freshen-up.

"He trialled okay (second to Everest last Thursday), but the signals were saying he needed a break. He'll also miss the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m on July 18), he's going for a spell."

Due to the COVID-19-enforced shake-up in the racing calendar, the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge is for the second consecutive year not in the running with the cancellation of the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m), which was the traditional third Leg to the Sprint (first Leg) and Classic (second Leg).

While Lim's Kosciuszko  will be conspicuous by his absence in those three-year-old races whose gloss was already taken off with the abridged version, Meagher is just as disappointed as the horse's fans will be, but said the decision was made around a table and nobody had a casting vote.

"I'm lucky to have an owner like Mr Lim (Siah Mong of Lim's Stable) and (racing manager) Mick (Dittman) who support my decision 100%. They've made the decision easy and comfortable for me, and (jockey) Danny (Beasley) also supported me," said Meagher.

Already known for his patience, Meagher credited his father, Australian Hall of Fame trainer and former Kranji mentor John Meagher, for this trait of erring on the side of caution when young horses' body language says they are a little overcooked.

"This goes back to my father who always believed in letting young horses tell you if enough is enough. I've watched and learned from him," said Meagher.

"He always told me you can't ignore the signals, you can't hurt them if you want them to have a longer career.

"Horses like Lim's Grand and Arenti are good examples of horses who benefitted from that and went on to win more races. My dad spaced out their runs, looked after them.

"Lim's Grand ran in only a few two-year-old races and Arenti didn't race until he was four, and we all know what they've achieved."

Meagher also tosses in his first Group 1 winner, Lion City Cup winner Lim's Lightning under the same umbrella, even if the mollycoddling came a little later.

"Dad didn't train Lim's Lightning, but he would come under the same category, as we gave him time out in Australia under my dad's care, and he's come back mentally stronger, he's grown up a lot," said Meagher.

"If we want Lim's Kosciuszko to turn into the next Lim's Lightning one day, this is the right thing to do now.

"We shouldn't forget that he was at only his first preparation. It's a shame as he's done a fantastic job and was peaking for that race, but it wasn't a hard decision, it's not a Group 1 race, and hopefully there'll be bigger and better things for him in the years ahead.

"At the end of the day, it's about the horse's future. We would rather drop a race now and know that we will have a good horse in the future.

"We are here for the long term not short term. I want Lim's Kosciuszko to be the best four, five, six-year-old, and hopefully he'll turn into a very good horse here in Singapore.

"So, what I do with him now will mould his future."