Dubai: Lizard's Desire exacted sweet revenge over his Dubai World Cup conquerer Gloria De Campeao to capture the Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1) at Kranji racecourse in Singapore yesterday.
Based in Dubai but trained by South African maestro Mike de Kock, Lizard's Desire wore down Gloria De Campeao in the straight to prevail by half a length, while Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1) champion Al Shemali was a respectable third.
Lizard's Desire, who is owned by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, was beaten a nose in the Dubai showpiece in March, but he settled the score in emphatic style yesterday under a belligerent ride by big-race South African champion Kevin Shea.
"This is fantastic, Sweet revenge for Dubai. And the fact that he's kept producing is a real credit to the Mike De Kock team, and in particular Stephen Jell [De Kock's assistant]," said Shea on the Singapore Turf Club website.
Jell said Lizard's Desire will be flown back to Dubai where he will be rewarded with a holiday.
Jell also indicated that the horse will in all probability be aimed at the 2011 Dubai World Cup.
"After two seconds he's finally done it. We've had banter with some of the guys over here about Dubai so it's nice for us to win and we've not lost that one in a photo finish." Jell said.
‘Easy to travel'
"He's gone from handicap company to international Group Ones and has shown we can take him anywhere now. He is easy to travel and laid back on the plane and on the track he does his job.
"He's going back to Dubai on Wednesday morning and he'll be going in the paddock for a holiday. I'm sure we'll be gunning for the World Cup again," he told At The Races.
Jockey Bruno Reis, who was riding Gloria De Campeao for the first time said: "He has run very well. It's the first time I have ridden the horse, and he handled the conditions much better than we thought he would. He always tries his best, and he did again today."
Jockey Royston Ffrench said: "He's run his usual honest race and I was very pleased with him."
