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The two favoured runners in the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1400m staged a two-horse war throughout the race and it then continued into the Stewards room.

Always Happy ($17) scored a head win over Natural Nice ($12 favourite) after the pair raced almost head-and-head over the entire 1400m journey.

After weighing-in, Joao Moreira who rode Natural Nice, lodged an objection against Always Happy (Greg Cheyne) and after a short hearing it was over-ruled.

Just Dashing (Danny Beasley) came from last on the home turn to finish a further one-and-a-three-quarter lengths back in third place.

Trainer Patrick Shaw said Always Happy had appreciated the drop class along with the Slow 5.6 track conditions.

“She's such an honest filly,” said Shaw. “She always tries her heart out.

“She loved the going out there today and the drop in class for her was also ideal.

"That's her right class so it was good to get another win for her owners.”

Always Happy had been winless since scoring in Class 4 grade back on New Year's Day, providing Shaw, last year's Champion Trainer, with the perfect start to the season.

While Shaw was a runaway winner in the Trainers' Premiership last year, the winners have been a little slower coming this year with Shaw having prepared just 16 for the season.

Shaw has been going through a rebuilding phase with his team and has a number of two-year-olds now on his books.

Always Happy is one of a growing number of US-bred gallopers racing in Singapore and she recorded her fifth win from 23 starts on Sunday.

A five-year-old by Aldebaran from the Sunshine Forever mare Dance Of Sunshine, Always Happy has won more than $250,000 in prizemoney for connections, the Saratoga Stable.