Team De Kock, even in the masters absence, stole the show as their star runner and world beater, Lizard's Desire exacted sweet revenge for a short head World Cup defeat in Dubai in March by running down the World Cup winner Gloria De Campeao in a classic Singapore Airlines International Cup race at Kranji, Singapore on Sunday night.

The Kevin Shea ridden South African wore down the classy World Cup champion and nabbed him 50m from the line for an epic victory. The brilliant ride saw Shea setting the Lizard Island colt alight at the 400m mark only to take what seemed ages to get going in a lengthy and prolonged run to the wire which saw one of the great turns of foot from an equine atlethe at Kranji at this level.

Shea got his revenge after thinking that he beat the same horse to win the World Cup even after celebrating on passing the post, only to be denied by the judge. This time it was different and Shea was on the victor. The race was run at a decent pace which allowed Shea to give his runner freedom to gallop along, especially with the pace set upfront. It suited Lizard's Desire perfectly and he saw out every inch of the 2000m trip on the grass like a proper stayer.

Mike De Kock was absent due to family committments according to Assistant Steven Jell who spoke to SAHorseracing.COM. "He was shouting louder than all of us," said Jell in reference to De Kock. "People do not know how difficult it is to win races like this with a horse that has been on the go since August.

"He will rest in Dubai and Hong Kong is an option as it always is, but it is not easy to go into that race without a prep," continued Jell.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP JOCKEY QUOTES

Kevin Shea – Lizard’s Desire (1sT)

“This is fantastic, Sweet revenge for Dubai. And the fact that he’s kept producing is a real credit to the Mike De Kock team, and in particular Stephen Jell.”

Bruno Reis – Gloria De Campeao (2nd)

“He has run very well. It’s the first time I have ridden the horse, and he handled the conditions much better than we thought he would. He always tries his best, and he did again today.”

Royston Ffrench – Al Shemali (3rd)

“He’s run his usual honest race, and I was very pleased with him. He was tightened up a little, about half a furlong out, but it made no difference, the winner had come to win his race.”

Joao Moreira – Waikato (4th)

“He had a perfect run, and gave me a good feel throughout the race. He’s done the best job of the local horses, and I felt he did stay the distance.”

Ryan Moore – Presvis (5th)

“He lost a front shoe on the first turn, when he got tightened up, and he was never comfortable after that.”

Ronnie Stewart – Jolie’s Shinju (6th)

“There’s no other way to ride her, and she was happy rolling in front, although I am not sure she appreciated the wet ground. I was pleased with her effort at this level.”

John Egan – Lahaleeb (7th)

“She just got a bit tired at the finish. She had a little setback at the start of the week, and I doubt she was quite at the top of her game.”

Saimee Jumaat – El Dorado (8th)

“He was never comfortable, never happy on the ground – a bit disappointing.”

John Powell – Drovetti (9th)

“He worked home OK, and really didn’t run too badly given the strength of this race.”

Vlad Duric – Goldschatz (10th)

“He had a good enough run, but couldn’t come on when it counted.”

Yuichi Shibayama – Yamanin Kingly (11th)

“Never happy in the soft ground. He needs it firm.”

Katsuharu Tanaka – Shadow Gate- Withdrawn at gate.