German flag flying proudly thanks to Schutz and Epalo

Trainer Andreas Schutz has been at the forefront of expanding Germany's reputation as a big-race nation and will be at it again at Kranji on Sunday with lightly raced galloper Epalo in the S$3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup.

Schutz, 36, is the son and former assistant of renowned German trainer Bruno Schutz, whose accomplishments include winning the Japan Cup with Lando in 1995.

That win, perhaps more than any other, put German racing on the world map so there is more than the usual amount of sentiment around the emergence of Epalo, a son of Lando.

Schutz has been to Singapore before, with Caitano, who finished a respectful second to Silvano in the 2001 Singapore Classic in a headline-grabbing German quinella.

Yesterday morning at Kranji, Schutz gave Epalo his seal of approval after watching the big bay stride 1,000 metres on the course proper, covering the last 600 metres in 48 seconds and the final 200 metres in 15.9.

'My wife Elke has been here supervising and everything has gone to plan,' Schutz said. 'The horse is very fit and has taken the trip to Singapore without any problems.'

Schutz was not deterred by drawing the dreaded outside barrier in the 16-horse field, saying it was Epalo's natural racing pattern to go forward anyway, and the wide alley ensured that would happen.