Japanese horse Shadow Gate announced his arrival as the new kid on the international Group One block when scoring a brilliant win in last night's S$3 million (HK$15.5 million) Singapore Airlines International Cup (2,000m) at Kranji.
The five-year-old, a virtual unknown prior to a seven-length win in Group Three company at his first start for the year, overcame a torrid trip to score an arrogant win under jockey Katsuhara Tanaka.
The Yukihiro Kato-trained stallion settled just off the speed but was no closer than four wide for the entire trip before Tanaka made his move well before the home turn.
Shadow Gate strolled to the lead early in the straight before quickly opening up a winning break and sustaining his workload right to the line to defeat compatriot Cosmo Bulk, who won the event last year, by 11/4 lengths, with France's Doctor Dino kicking strongly for third a further three-quarters of a length away.
Kato was thrilled with the success and will now take Shadow Gate home to prepare for a return clash with the outstanding Meisho Samson next month.
'He has been a very good improver this season and I am very happy that he was able to come to Singapore and win this race,' Kato. 'He showed he was up to this standard at his last start in Japan and I hope he can return home and be successful again.'
Although tracking wide for the entire trip, Tanaka said Shadow Gate had travelled like a winner from an early stage.