By Alan Carasso
Winless in four tries since annexing the 2015 Singapore Derby last July, the consistent Quechua (Arg) (Pure Prize) positioned himself for a trip to Dubai World Cup night, leading home a top-four sweep for the Patrick Shaw stable in the Fortune Bowl Tuesday at Kranji Racecourse.
Fifth behind stable companion Cooptado (Arg) (Equal Stripes) in defense of his title in the prestigious Singapore Gold Cup Nov. 15, Quechua was third to Perfect P (Arg) (Perfectperformance) when favored in the New Year Cup over the Polytrack, and led the market here with a return to the grass.
Settled in fourth as Order of the Sun (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) opened as many as 12 lengths on his rivals, Quechua was asked to improve and, in fact, was under a right-handed stick from Corey Brown before they hit the top of the stretch. Order of the Sun hit the skids at midstretch, and Perfect P inherited the lead, but it was short-lived, as Quechua called upon his superior stamina and found the line generously for the victory. Emperor's Banquet (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), in receipt of seven pounds from the winner, closed nicely to gain second on the wire. Quechua holds an entry for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, and if an invitation comes, Shaw plans on accepting the challenge.
“The fast pace played into Quechua's hands. It was too fast for Perfect P, but it suited Quechua just nice,” said Shaw, who saddled Rocket Man (Aus) (Viscount {Aus}) to an historic success in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in 2011. “This horse is as game as they come and he was the right horse at the weights to win this race today. If we get a Dubai invitation, we'll definitely go.”
Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart. VIDEO.
Tuesday, Kranji, Singapore
FORTUNE BOWL S., S$200,000 (£98,958/€127,229), Kranji, 2-9, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.15, gd.
1–QUECHUA (ARG), 128, g, 5, Pure Prize–Queen Cabaret (Brz),
by Wild Event. O-Avengers Stable; B-Haras Santa Maria de
Araras; T-Patrick Shaw; J-Corey Brown; S$119,000. Lifetime
Record: 2x Ch. Stayer-Sin, GSW & G1SP-Arg, 26-8-8-8.
2–Emperor's Banquet (Aus), 121, g, 6, Holy Roman Emperor
(Ire)–Invisible Quest (Ire), by Intikhab. (A$75,000 Ylg '11
INGMEL). O-Tmen Stable. S$42,500.
3–Perfect P (Arg), 123, g, 4, Perfectperformance–Holly Filly
(Arg), by Lode. O-Pupetch Racing Stable. S$21,500.
Margins: NK, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 2.00, 35.80, 2.60.
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