Quechua Good as Gold in Singapore

South African trainer Patrick Shaw is best known for his work with the outstanding sprinter Rocket Man (Aus) (Viscount {Aus}), the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, but the conditioner proved he can a horse with more scope, as Argentinian import Quechua (Arg) (Pure Prize) gave him a second win in Sunday’s Singapore Gold Cup, the richest event on the domestic calendar. 

Victorious in the 2013 Clasico Ensayo at San Isidro, the 4-year-old was third as the odds-on favorite in this year’s G1 Clasico Miguel Alfredo Martinez de Hoz in April before being purchased to race in Singapore. He dropped his first three local appearances, including defeats to stablemate Emperor’s Banquet (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) over 1600 meters and to Cheetah On Fire (NZ) (One Cool Cat) going this distance, but bounced back with two straight scores, most recently validating 2-1 favoritism in the track-and-trip El Dorado Classic Oct. 26, with Cheetah On Fire and Emperor’s Banquet immediately behind. 

Drawn very wide, with favored War Affair (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) to his outside, Quechua was a bit deep into the first turn, but eased down into the two path to stalk the pace set by Goodman (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}). War Affair, looking to become the first to sweep the older-horse Triple Crown, was still trapped out about three wide while traveling well with cover down the backstretch and looked poised to make a run as they swung around the final turn. Meanwhile up front, Quechua was given his cue approaching the stretch and went past Goodman to lead at the 300-meter mark. War Affair, carrying top weight of 129 pounds, tried to rally down the center, but flattened out just a touch, and Quechua outstayed his rivals for the victory. Emperor’s Banquet finished well to be second ahead of Cheetah On Fire, who looked dangerous up the rail in the straight only to weaken a touch in the final half-furlong. Tommy Berry was able to work out a ground-saving trip for defending champion Tropaios (GB) (Excellent Art {GB}) and that duo finished a very good fourth. 

“I’ve won a few Group 2 and Group 3 races here, but it’s good to get a Group 1 win off my shoulders and winning the biggest domestic race here is a big thrill for sure,” said Australian jockey Corey Brown. “This horse gave me such a super feeling at his first two wins and with no weight on his back, I had to pick him over Goodman, even if Goodman has also been a special horse to me. At the end of the day, it was a business decision and I’m glad I pull the right rein.” 

Shaw indicated that the winner would get a rest and could be pointed to next year’s G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup.

Sunday, Kranji, Singapore
LONGINES SINGAPORE GOLD CUP, S$1,350,000 (US$1,043,432), Kranji, 11-16, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:15.07, gd. 
1–QUECHUA (ARG), 110, g, 4, Pure Prize–Queen Cabaret (Brz), by Wild Event. O-Avengers Stable; B-Haras Santa Maria de Araras; T-Patrick Shaw; J-Corey Brown; S$803,250. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Arg, 14-5-4-4, S$1,196,260. 
2–Emperor’s Banquet (Aus), 110, g, 5, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Invisible Quest (Ire), by Intikhab. (A$75,000 yrl ‘11 INGMEL). O-Tmen Stable. S$286,875. 
3–Cheetah On Fire (NZ), 110, g, 6, One Cool Cat–Kindness (NZ), by Star Way (GB). O-Wilson Racing Stable. S$145,125. 
Margins: 1HF, 3/4, NK. Odds: 3.80, 17.40, 15.60. 
Also Ran: Tropaios (GB), War Affair (NZ), Goodman, Knight’s Command, Stepitup, Valbuena, Ideal Guide, Flax, Martin, Wild Geese, Goliath, Lizarre, City Lad. Scratched: Magical Talent (Aus), Brilliant Deal (Jpn).
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