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Oracle West's delight in draw

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Rain adds to Singapore Cup puzzle

South African galloper Oracle West tightened his grip on the S$3 million (HK$15.5 million) Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji after drawing well in gate five, but several of the main players in Sunday's feature are more concerned about the weather than their barrier positions.

The Kranji turf surface has been rain-affected for trackwork during the week and a deluge yesterday afternoon had connections of some of the strong chances concerned.

Mick de Kock's travelling foreman, Steve Jell, said the draw rounded off what had been a perfect week for Oracle West, who lines up following a luckless sixth to Viva Pataca in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin last month.

'From the draw he can be as close as he needs to be in the run,' Jell said.

'We have changed his work around since Hong Kong to sharpen him up as we thought he was a bit dour last start coming back from the 2,400 metres of Dubai [when second to Vengeance Of Rain in the Sheema Classic].'

The Japanese visitors, last year's winner Cosmo Bulk and the in-form Shadow Gate, drew awkwardly in gates nine and 10 respectively, while England's representative, Kandidate, drew perfectly in gate one and is expected to make the running.

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