I enjoyed the build up to the Singapore Gold Cup and Craig, Matt and myself opened a broadcast which went live on Channel News Asia. It was an awesome experience, writes Gareth Pepper.
Cooptado wins a big one for Pat Shaw
Pat Shaw again showed why he is a leading conditioner that can hold his own anywhere in the world.
He took out the Gold Cup for the third time with Cooptado rideen by Rizuan Shafiq.
Getting back to the race, I had chosen Shaw’s champion stayer Quechua as my first choice.
If he had won he would have made history by being the first horse to win it consecutively, with the Derby in between.
Alas it was not to be. It was left up to his stablemate Cooptado, who had been a bit on the plain side since joining the yard from Dubai.
Wearing blinkers for the first time, as the field turned for home, I gave him no chance, but it was his pure staying ability that kicked in and helped him mow down Fastnet Dragon, who had taken up the lead early in the home straight.
Perfect P, another Shaw runner was making up good ground under Barend Vorster but it was all Cooptado who got his head down where it mattered most.
Another remarkable fact is that Pat saddled four of the first 6 past the line – he is just a master trainer that has a knack of winning the big races.
Barend Vorster – seen here with his mate Greg Cheyne (left)
I do feel for Barend.
He has been denied a win in the Gold Cup many times and has several places to his credit. He returned with a huge smile and was just so happy that his stable had taken out the Cup.
It just goes to show what a gentleman he is.
Stepitup, who was attempting to write his name into the history books by being the first horse to capture the open Triple Crown, was not his usual self and the 58 kgs told at the end of the day.
He will go for a deserved spell now and then preparations will be under way for him to have a go at the QEII cup at Randwick in April – a race which he has been invited too.
My colleague Matt has pointed out that no winner of the Raffles Cup in the last several years has placed in the Gold Cup, including some of the greats of Singaporean racing , War Affair, Better Than Ever and Flax.
Rizuan Shafiq, who is leading the apprentice premiership,rode Cooptado to victory to record his career peak win.
It has been a fantastic year for the likeable apprentice. He also outrode his claim (151 winners) and It would not surprise me if he went on to make his presence felt in the senior riding ranks. I do predict big things for him and I personally feel that he could hold his own anywhere in the world.
So the final Group 1 of the season is over and I cannot believe that we are fast approaching Christmas.
On a personal note, I am looking forward to a much needed vacation and seeing my family and friends in Sunny South Africa.
Till next time.
