Chinchon cruises home in Singapore race

Former Derrinstown Stud stallion Marju's legacy was given an additional boost when his offspring Chinchon landed the lucrative Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1) at Kranji racecourse yesterday. The seven-year-old, who is one of nine Group/Grade 1 winners sired by St. James Palace Stakes winner Marju, scored by three lengths from Hong Kong challenger Zaidan. Last September, Marju was retired from stud duty at the age of 23 at Derrinstown Stud owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. Meanwhile, Godolphin's hopes of winning the race for the first time since Grandera in 2004 were dealt a cruel blow when their intended runner City Style was withdrawn at the start after playing up in the stalls. The Mahmoud Al Zarouni horse was found to have knocked a leg. Chinchon was making amends for his disappointment in the SAI Cup 12 months ago where he could only finish fifth behind Dubai World Cup (G1) runner Gitano Hernando.Trained in France by Carlos Laffon-Parias, Chinchon won in decisive fashion, taking the lead inside the final furlong and pulling clear of his rivals in the hands of French jockey Olivier Doleuze. Doleuze, who spent 10 years riding in Hong Kong, was elated with the victory and said: "This is very special for me tonight, especially for Carlos who lost his dad last night and could not be here. This is for him. "I took the risk to stay inside but I was able to switch him out and win the race rather comfortably in the end." RESULTS KrisFlyer International Sprint (Group 1) (3yo+) 1,200m: 1. Ato (P Shaw) B Vorster; 2. Mr Big (M Freedman) S Baster; 3. Secret Asset (J Chapple-Hyam) G Baker; 4. Captain Obvious (S Burridge) O Chevez. Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1) (3yo+) 2,000m:1. Chinchon (Carlos Laffon-Parias) O Doleuze; 2. Zaidan (J Moore) J McDonald; 3. Flax (D Hill) J Verenzuela; 4. Zazou (W Hickst) A Suborics. Non-runner: City Style (M Zarouni) M Barzalona.