Brett Doyle has taken Singapore by storm and a vital March date is already pencilled into his calendar for a return to the Lion City and the biggest race ever run there. Doyle woke up yesterday to widespread acclaim for his winning ride on English import Carry The Flag in the $4.6 million Singapore Gold Cup on Sunday night and with the knowledge that he is wanted back at the superb Kranji racecourse. It will come as no surprise to his Hong Kong fans that the popular English jockey didn't just leave it with one win. 'Double' Doyle struck twice on the night, bringing up another twosome after performing a similar feat at Sha Tin on Saturday. Australian trainer Michael Kent, who gambled on Doyle and brought him in from Hong Kong, is now aiming the former Paul Cole-trained English handicapper at the $13.8 million Singapore Airlines International Cup on March 4. And he wants Doyle back for the big occasion. Said Kent: 'He gave the horse a great ride, absolutely faultless and we are all delighted. It's good when these things pay off and he could not have done better. 'We are going to discuss plans for the horse but the big race in March is the clear objective. I'm not kidding myself that it won't be harder and there will be overseas entries, probably a lot of them. 'But he's a good horse and he deserves his chance after this win.' For Doyle the trip to Singapore paid off handsomely, as much in prestige as in percentages. He rode Cybervane to win the Class Two Firebrand Stakes, worth $325,000, before taking Carry The Flag out for the 2,200-metre Singapore Gold Cup. 'I had a quick look at his form in England but I did not really know the strength of it in relation to other horses. Ouzo was the favourite and [Jumaat] Saimee, who was on him, is a good rider so I figured I would follow them. 'It worked out well because they went at a good gallop and both Ouzo and my fellow were at the back of the field. I let him make all the gaps for me and just followed him through. 'But Ouzo has a good turn of foot and he quickened up very well, leaving us by about four lengths. But it is a tough, uphill finish at Kranji and it suited Carry The Flag. It was real close, I think we won by a neck but it was a gutsy performance from Carry The Flag. I wouldn't mind having him in our stable,' said Doyle. Despite considerable publicity, Carry The Flag started at 18-1 and Doyle returned to a huge welcome from the 50,000 crowd on course for the biggest day - and race - yet seen at the new Kranji course. 'It was probably about the biggest reception I have ever got. There was a huge crowd and it was a real gala occasion. It has been a great trip for me and I have been asked to come back. 'As long as my Hong Kong commitments permit that, then I certainly will,' said Doyle who is due back at trackwork on Thursday. The date for the Singapore Airlines International Cup does not clash with Hong Kong where one of the season's biggest meetings, Hong Kong Derby Day, is on Sunday, March 5. Meanwhile, global racing powerhouse Godolphin sprang a major surprise yesterday when they supplemented Central Park for the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday. The horse had allegedly been brought along to Melbourne as a lead horse for Cup favourite Kayf Tara. Central Park is also down for Saturday's LKS McKinnon Stakes but there were immediately ruffled feathers in Victoria when it was suggested Central Park might be used to set the pace in Australia's greatest race - as he did when winning the Coronation Cup in June. Cox Plate hero Greg Childs, no stranger to Hong Kong, has been booked to ride Amerique, the first American runner in the fabled race.
