Pat on the back for Shaw in Singapore

SOUTH African trainer Patrick Shaw not only captured his second Singapore Gold Cup with Argentinian-bred stayer Quechua on Sunday, but for good measure, also his second quinella in the time-honoured classic.

After Mr Line (Jeff Lloyd) and War Horn ran 1-2 in the 2 200m handicap showpiece in 2006, Shaw made several attempts at another golden strike, but none of his runners could quite pass muster until Quechua finally ended the long wait with Emperor’s Banquet running on to complete the stable queueup.

It was not just Shaw who was saddling the forecast in the Gold Cup as the Yongs of the Avengers/Tmen Stable race both Quechua and Emperor’s Banquet, not to mention they were also the connections behind Mr Line under the Quartet Stable.

The Gold Cup triumph capped a memorable day for Shaw, who had earlier landed three winners.

“This was the big one we’ve long planned for this horse. We bought him especially for the Gold Cup. And this is my second Gold Cup and the second time I’ve finished first and second. When I do a job, I do it well,” joked Shaw who recently underwent a minor surgery.

“We spoke to Corey after he drew wide and the plan was to jump well and go forward and that’s exactly how it panned out.

“As I said before, he’s the true stayer in the race and Corey rode him a treat. Winning the Gold Cup eight years ago with Mr Line and War Horn second was special but this is also special, especially as I’ve done it again for the Yong family who have been wonderful supporters of mine for a long time.

“I will give him a break now and we’ll look at races like the SIA Cup and the Derby for him next year.”

The $3 million Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup in May and the $1.15 million Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby in July are Singapore’s two most coveted races over 2000m. -