Fairway's Turf Online

Thrilling win by Quechua in Singapore Derby

SINGAPORE: Jul 12, 2015

QUECHUA prevails in a three-way finish in the Emirates Singapore
Derby - SNTC photo

It took a Gold Cup winner to run down WAR AFFAIR in the Emirates Singapore Derby at Kranji here today and thus deny the odds-on favourite a clean sweep of the Four-Year-Old Challenge.

WAR AFFAIR had won the first two legs with some ease, beating QUECHUA by three lengths in the Patrons' Bowl (1600m) last time out.

But QUECHUA, winner of the Singapore Gold Cup last November and placed third in the Singapore Airlines International Cup in May, held off WAR AFFAIR after a duel that lasted for the entire stretch of the home straight.

QUECHUA won by a neck with FASTNET DRAGON, winner of his last four starts, also in the reckoning throughout and lost out on second place by a mere nose. It was most closely contested Derby.

"He’s been such a good horse to us. He’s won the Gold Cup and now the Derby, what more can you ask of him," said trainer Patrick Shaw.

QUECHUA was a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed in Argentina before coming to Singapore.

After his Gold Cup win, he opened his 2015 campaign with a win in the New Year's Cup but had to endure a series of five minor placings before stamping his class again today. It was his fifth win in 13 starts in Singapore.

Corey Brown, who also partnered QUECHUA to win the Gold Cup, said: "This win is even more special than the Gold Cup and that’s because it’s been a long build-up towards the Derby."

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

	HELLO BOSTON STAKES
1	KRANJI STAKES D, DIV 1 - 1200M
8	BIG CITY	M Freedman	N Juglall	1
	(3 b.a.g Not A Single Doubt - Atiya by King Of Kings)
13	Sun Empire	D Koh	Woodworth	2
5	Hardcore Rock	M Walker	H Bowman	3
7	Xavio	S Gray	B Shinn	4

	HELLO CHICAGO STAKES
2	OPEN 2YO - 1200M
2	LIM'S SHOWCASE	S Burridge	H Bowman	1
	(2 b.a.g br.nz.g Showcasing - Molly's Dolly by Bertolini)
7	Chopin's Nocturne	M Clements	M Nunes	2
8	D'Buffalo Man	C Brown	R Shafiq	3
1	Genius	Khoo	B Vorster	4

	HELLO HOUSTON STAKES
3	KRANJI STAKES D - 1800M
2	AMAZING	L Laxon	J Powell	1
	(4 br.nz.g Danroad - Montwest by Montjeu)
1	Super Joe	P Shaw	N Juglall	2
8	Swift	HW Tan	T See	3
3	Jimtown	L Dragon	R Rueven	4

	HELLO NEW YORK STAKES
4	KRANJI STAKES D, DIV 2 - 1200M
10	LUCKY GIANT	ZL Mok	J See	1
	(3 b.a.g Starcraft - Erthakit by Catbird)
2	Dragon Bobo	HW Tan	N Juglall	2
5	Geeson Master	Khoo	H Bowman	3
8	Xzuberance	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	4

	YEW TEE CLASSIC STAKES
5	SINGAPORE GROUP 3 (CW) - 1800M
1	STEPITUP	L Laxon	M Nunes	1
	(5 b.a.g Hussonet - Ain't Seen Nothin' by Nothin' Leica Dane)
4	Emperor's Banquet	P Shaw	B Vorster	2
9	Mr Spielberg	L Laxon	Saifudin	3
5	Martin	L Laxon	M Rodd	4

	HELLO ORLANDO STAKES
6	BENCHMARK 67 - 2000M
3	SQUIRE OSBALDESTON	S Gray	B Shinn	1
	(4 b.ir.g Mr Greeley - Kushnarenkovo by Sadler's Wells)
10	Brad	L Laxon	M Nunes	2
8	Sunny	L Dragon	Saifudin	3
4	Alasamo	M Freedman	R Shafiq	4

	HELLO SAN FRANCISCO STAKES
7	INITIATION - 1400M
6	NEWLANDS	S Gray	B Shinn	1
	(3 b.a.g Mugharreb - Lady Migaloo by General Nediym)
10	Mangatoetoenui	L Laxon	M Rodd	2
11	Tenma	HW Tan	T See	3
13	Terms Of Reference	P Shaw	B Vorster	4

	EMIRATES SINGAPORE DERBY
8	SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (4YO, SW) - 2000M
2	QUECHUA	P Shaw	CW Brown	1
	(4 b.arg.g Pure Prize - Queen Cabaret by Wild Event)
1	War Affair	HW Tan	A Munro	2
9	Fastnet Dragon	Khoo	H Bowman	3
3	Cooptado	P Shaw	B Vorster	4

	HELLO SEATTLE STAKES
9	KRANJI STAKES C - 1200M
6	HERMANO MENOR	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	1
	(3 b.a.g Duporth - Sunday Service by Sunday Silence)
8	Red Dawn	S Baertschiger	J Powell	2
3	Smart People	HW Tan	Chavez	3
2	Flying Zero	M Freedman	H Syafiq	4

	PAITITI GOLD TROPHY
10	SINGAPORE GROUP 3 (HCP) - 1200M
4	DANIEL	L Laxon	CW Brown	1
	(4 gr.nz.g Guillotine - Tina by Danasinga)
10	Wimbledon	M Freedman	Saifudin	2
8	Kiwi Karma	M Clements	M Nunes	3
2	Flax	D Hill	B Shinn	4

	HELLO WASHINGTON STAKES
11	CLASS 4 - 1400M
15	DAVINCI	M Freedman	CW Brown	1
	(3 b.nz.g Mastercraftsman - All Night Party by Just A Dancer)
1	Perfect P	P Shaw	B Vorster	2
13	Twodollarmuppet	L Dragon	N Juglall	3
3	Free Happy	M Walker	H Bowman	4