Singapore Racing - Weekend Review - 14th and 16th of November

3 minute read

Leading trainer Patrick Shaw dominated Singapore Gold Cup weekend — notching up five winners, including a quinella in the staying feature.

Handy galloper Super Kenny brought up Shaw's sole victory on Friday night, while In Fact, Bale Star, Davide and Quechua capped off an impressive weekend on Sunday.

From 22 starters, a further seven placed including Emperor's Banquet, who finished second behind Quechua in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup.

Shaw took out his first Gold Cup in 2006, with Mr Line defeating stablemate War Horn.

Quechua

Failing to fill the placings since, progressive galloper Quechua would end Shaw's run of outs, when proving the superior stayer.

Although costly to punters early on, the son of Pure Prize had struck winning form at the right time, bringing up a hat-trick of wins in the Gold Cup.

Formerly based in Argentina, Quechua came to Singapore with quite the handy resume, having placed in Group 1 company, and was a Group 2 winner at three.

Steadily raising the bar with each performance, Quechua capped off a well-timed training performance, with a dominant victory over the 2200m journey.

Drawn one of the widest alleys, Quechua was aided by a terrific ride from Corey Brown.

Pressed forward from the outset, Quechua settled beautifully in second, with the Laurie Laxon trained Goodman finding the front.

Quechua travelled well throughout and let down powerfully — when pulled to the centre upon straightening.

Drawing well clear inside the 300m, Quechua sustained his run to the line to score by one-and-a-half lengths.

Quechua recorded a Timeform rating of 103p, which places him alongside past Gold Cup winners El Dorado and Risky Business.

Better Life remains the highest rated Gold Cup winner in recent years, when she carried 55.5kg to victory in 2012.

Quechua's performance saw him improve five pounds on his dominant El Dorado Classic win, and gives the impression more is in store.

War Affair

Superstar galloper War Affair was unable to sustain a wide run and proved very gallant in defeat with 58kg.

Finishing fifth, War Affair won the race easily at the weights, though was unable to repeat the level of his Raffles Cup performance.

His defeat highlighted the difficulty faced by gallopers attempting to fulfil the Triple Crown, and presents the notion that it might never be achieved.

War Affair was the highest rated galloper to ever attempt the feat and given he was unable to do so, it's hard to envision a galloper proving successful.

While not completely ruling it out, it would take a very special galloper and three high class performances to create history.

The Singapore Derby and Singapore International Cup appear War Affair's next logical targets, and while connections would be disappointed after the weekend — he clearly remains the horse to beat in the Derby and is one of Singapore's leading contender in the Cup.

Aspen

Former New Zealand based galloper Aspen dominated his rivals in the final event on Sunday and should be followed closely.

Group 1 placed at three, the son of Alamosa displayed good ability when formerly trained by Jason Bridgman and should continue to improve —when tried over further.

Having found the 1200m too short in his Singapore debut, Aspen relished the extra furlong when working home powerfully.

Ridden for luck by David Flores, Aspen weaved his way through the field, before taking a split passing the 300m.

Letting down strongly over the concluding stages, Aspen hit the front passing the 200m and raced away for a comprehensive two length victory.

The form through both Puccini and Recite is very strong and given he is so lightly raced he appears capable of stringing a few wins together.

Improving 13 pounds on his Singapore debut, Aspen still has plenty up his sleeve on his best form and remains under strong notice moving forward.