Shadow Gate wins it for Japan

Singpapore: Impressive Shadow Gate gave Japan a second win in a row in the Singapore International Airlines Cup at Kranji yesterday.

It was a notable performance by the grandson of legendary sire Sunday Silence who, never out of the top three, looked the class of the field throughout his length-and-a-quarter triumph.

Last year's winner Cosmo Bulk was second to give Japan a one-two with France's Doctor Dino third a short head behind.

Shadow Gate's ecstatic owner Tomokazu Iizuka said: "It's great to win here and I'm thrilled and very pleased because the other horses in the race were very competitive.

"I've been here a week and knew about the track and the way the ground handled and I was very confident."

Dubai World Cup sixth Kandidate came fifth with jockey Eddie Ahern bemoaning the lack of a finishing kick from Clive Brittain's five-year-old, who looked menacingly placed just off the leaders throughout.

"He travelled well and I thought he was in with a shout all the way through but he just didn't have enough when we were in the straight," Ahern said. "The pace was very fast and there was no need for us to lead, we only lead when the pace is slow."

Fancied Oracle West, who went off joint favourite with Shadow Gate on the local tote at a shade under 3/1, disappointed in sixth.

'Just never kicked'

Regular partner Weichong Marwing said the "true distance" of the Sheema Classic second was 12 furlongs. "He was travelling well throughout and handled the track well, but he just never kicked.

"This horse is a good and proven stayer, he's shown that in Dubai, with his runs there, but 10 furlongs were probably too short for him."

Ace Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh reported that his mount, Doctor Dino, like so many others, failed to find the required final effort in the straight.