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Chinchon was the winner of the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on Sunday with a strong ride from Olivier Doleuze helping gain the result.

There was a sensation prior to the start of the race when favourite City Style reared up in the stalls and was withdrawn after being vetted.

We had been positive about Chinchon all week and with the rain (not expected according to the weather forcast in the morning) providing a not unwelcome bit of give in the ground and a very positive ride from Doleuze, the race was in the bag. Hong Kong runner Zaidan with James McDonald flying in to ride was a very worthy second and local runner Flax, a horse that had suffered from heat exhaustion in the past, took third. Zazou didn't quite finish it off and had to settle for fourth.

Earlier trainer Pat Shaw got some compensation for the absence of Rocket Man when Ato won the Kris Flyer at huge odds. Mr Big looked as if he might grab it at one stage but he had to settle for second and Jane Chapple-Hyam's Secret Asset ran third. She said after the race that a win was now that much nearer and that Secret Asset was the only one of Clodovil's progeny who did not like the rain!

Speedy Cat started things off well for us with a win in the Cl2 1400m and Arrowana Dot Com won the Open 1600m race.

There were some comments that the fields had fallen away in the International races, but both races provided great racing and lots of excitement.