The Singapore Airlines Cup and Krisflyer Sprint draw took place at a superbly organisaed event in Singapore at the Chevron House in Raffles Place this afternoon.

The event itself was anticiapated by the connections of Lizard's Desire, the  lone South African in the event, as well as the British raider, Presvis - a big danger in the race with jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle. However, the race is littered with other stars as well. Presvis drew a wide 10 while Lizard's Desire is no better at barrier 9.

One of those stars who will be competing against the British and South African horses is Dubai trained Al Shemali-  a surprise US$ 5 million Dubai Duty Free winner on World Cup night. He also takes his place in this star studden field in a race that is fast becoming the most important post Dubai World Cup night event. He drew a decent enough number of 7.

The race is a perfect fit for the former Dubai Carnival horses and even though it competes as a headliner on the international stage with the Preakness Stakes, there is no similarity in the race conditions with the Preakness being a race for 3 year olds with a heavy American accent. It does however make for big weekend of racing action for the fans.

Kevin Shea was at the draw function and sounded confident of his charge after some decent work on the tracks this week. He mentioned that the horse is well and he is looking forward to the race. From Shea's point of view, the star South African seems to be enjoying himself in Singapore with a nice effort expected from connections.

Crowds in attendance at the draw function

Connections of Lizard's Desire with the number 9 barrier

Kevin Shea's reaction at the draw

Debbie Hawkins and Kevin Shea

Kevin Shea and Steven Jell

SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP - COMMENTS FROM CONNECTIONS

Shadow Gate (JPN) - Barrier No 1

Trainer Yukihiro Kato was happy with the draw.

"It is a good gate to start from. If he starts well he will be able to go forward and take up a good position," said Kato.

"JOLIE'S SHINJU also has plenty of gate speed. If she insists on going forward, we won't fight with her.

"My horse is a lot more experienced than before and you can tell in his attitude.

"Even though he won this race three years ago, he feels he is at a new place and is very happy in his 'new' surroundings."

Jolie's Shinju (SG) - Barrier No 2

Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka was in a buoyant mood after the post position draw for both his gallopers. He also saddles-up EL DORADO.

"Barrier number 2 is ideal for JOLIE'S SHINJU," said Takaoka. "She is a front runner so she shouldn't have to work too hard to find the rail.

"She is normally a good beginner and she should be able to get across quite easily, providing SHADOW GATE doesn't want to lead."

JOLIE'S SHINJU jumped from barrier three when she was successful over the 2000m of the Singapore Derby last July.

Jockey Ronnie Stewart, who knows the mare like the back of his hand, having partnered her to the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge three-leg cleansweep last year, said JOLIE'S SHINJU would have gone forward anyway.

"I was not really concerned by the draw but it's always a bonus to draw two. She'll go forward anyway," he said.

"There are a couple that have early speed but who have drawn wide. So, hopefully that will put a bit of pressure on them to work across."

Goldschatz (SG) - Barrier No 3

"I could not be happier," said trainer Stephen Gray. "He usually gets a bad draw in these big races.

"This barrier makes his job a lot easier. He races midfield and won't have to get as far back as he did in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

"He's fit and well and I think he's got a chance."

Lahaleeb (BAH) - Barrier No 4

Trainer Fawzi Nass saw a dash of divine intervention in the position Bahrain mare LAHALEEB drew.

"I got her groom Siddiq to draw the number because he's been praying for No 4 since yesterday," said Nass.

"He's the most pious man in our group and it was only natural he was the one to do the job, and his prayer was answered.

"It's a nice draw but it will all depend on the speed. She's a versatile mare and can drop midfield or race off the speed. She's fit and ready."

Yamanin Kingly (JPN) - Barrier No 5

Assistant-trainer Kenichi Ando was in fairly good spirits after he went on stage to pick No 5 for Japanese contender YAMANIN KINGLY.

"The barrier doesn't make much difference to him. He's a very flexible type of galloper and can go to the front or sit in midfield," said Ando.

"It is good for him that there are a couple of frontrunners in the race. The more genuine the pace the better for him."

Gloria De Campeao (FRA) - Barrier No 6

Racing Manager Patrick Barbe was not drawing too much symbolism in being handed the same draw as last year's winning run - No 6, but was bearing a satisfied grin nonetheless. "It's a good number. We drew the same number last year (in the SIA Cup) and won," said the Frenchman who was among one of the last to draw a position.

"It would have been a bit of a problem if we got 12 (which was one of the numbers left when their turn came up) but thank goodness we got 6 instead."

Al Shemali (UAE) - Barrier No 7

The AL SHEMALI camp were all smiles after trainer Ali Rashid al Raihe returned triumphantly with the number he had been pining for all week - No 7.

Jockey Royston Ffrench revealed the sentimental reason behind.

"The trainer is very happy with barrier No 7 because this is where he jumped from in the Dubai Duty Free and won!" said Ffrench.

"Ali has been hoping to get 'Lucky Seven' and he couldn't be happier."

Waikato (SG) - Barrier No 8

Trainer Laurie Laxon drew position number 8 and said the draw would allow him to take a good position.

"(Jockey Joao) Moreira should be able to choose where he wants to be in the run," said Laxon.

"Lucky eight and it is an even number. The draw gives Joao the chance to sum up the race and get into a good position.

"There should be good speed on, which will also help him."

Lizard's Desire (SA) - Barrier No 9

The LIZARD'S DESIRE team did not seem all that excited with their draw but assistant-trainer Stephen Jell was keeping his chin up.

"Someone's got to be there! He's a versatile type of horse and really, all we need now is to wait till the gates open," said Jell.

"There are a couple of frontrunners who should dictate the pace and if it's a true run race, it will suit us. We'll see how it goes."

On his part, jockey Kevin Shea was unfazed by the awkward position.

"The draw doesn't really matter," said the South African rider.

"It would be great if it could rain in the next three days. He loves the sting out of the ground."

Presvis (GB) - Barrier No 10

Luca Cumani's assistant-trainer Charlie Henson, who drew the outermost number (12) for PRESVIS in last year's SIA Cup, has again come up with a wide position, but sounded more upbeat this time around.

"At least this time it's not my fault. That was the last number left," said Henson.

"One good thing is that the two horses with pace have both drawn inside gates - SHADOW GATE (1) and JOLIE'S SHINJU (2) - and should be able to ensure a good pace.

"Hopefully GLORIA DE CAMPEAO will come from the outside and push them as well."

El Dorado (SG) - Barrier No 11

Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka was not concerned about the wide draw for EL DORADO as he is a get-back horse. "I'm happy with the draw for both my horses," said Takaoka. "EL DORADO's number 11 draw is no problem as he will go back.

"It was more important for JOLIE'S SHINJU to draw inside, which she did. "There should be good pace on which will suit him and he's fit and well. He's sure to run well."

Drovetti (SG) - Barrier No 12

Trainer Steven Burridge had a wry smile on his face after he drew the widest for DROVETTI.

"I drew the widest with King And King in 2006 and he ran second to Cosmo Bulk," said the current leading trainer in Singapore.

"So there is a positive spin to that but otherwise I can't think of anything else to say other than my horse is fit and well and we'll try our best."

KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT

Green Birdie (HK) - Barrier No 1

Hong Kong raider GREEN BIRDIE has drawn the coveted barrier - a little thanks to Caspar Fownes' track rider Dale Bussey.

"I've always been lucky with barrier draws. Two years ago, I drew three for Sanziro and this time we did even better by getting the inside gate," said Bussey.

"That should give us all the options now. Most importantly we hope there'll be plenty of pace in the race.

"I'm texting (Trainer) Caspar (Fownes) right now. He should be happy."

Gold Trail (AUS) - Barrier No 2

Trainer Gary Portelli could not hold his delight after GOLD TRAIL drew beautifully in barrier number 2.

"That is sensational," said Portelli. "He really gets his chance now.

"We will try and kick up under ROCKET MAN and keep the lead. He might sit off us, but I'm sure after 1100m we are going to be right in it.

"It is going to make for an interesting race."

Eagle Falls (AUS) - Barrier No 3

Equally pleased were the connections of the second Australian sprinter EAGLE FALLS, more particularly trainer David Hayes.

"It's an ideal barrier. We should be able to follow the pace from there and be the last to challenge on the outside," said Hayes.

Joy And Fun (HK) - Barrier No 4

Martin Cruz, son of trainer Derek, was a relieved and happy man after drawing barrier number 4.

"It is what we hoped for. An inside draw," said Cruz. "We didn't want to be drawn too far out."

Cruz said connections would sit and study the make up of the field to decide the best way for JOY AND FUN to be ridden.

"He can race from the front or just in behind the pace," said Cruz. "We have got time to study the field and make a decision from there."

Mexican Rose (SG) - Barrier No 5

With only two positions yet drawn for the KrisFlyer, owner Tang Weng Fei felt confident of picking the right draw.

"It was a 50/50 chance between five and nine," said Tang. "It looks a good draw and I think we are happy.

"I have just spoken with (jockey) Saimee (Jumaat) and he is happy and we are hoping for a better run.

"We will discuss tactics with (trainer) Laurie (Laxon) and Saimee, but we may this time sit her off the pace.

"It might be the right thing to do. She can come from off the pace and finish off."

Laxon added that he didn't expect the filly to be too far away in the run.

"You can't be giving ROCKET MAN too much start," said Laxon. "Hopefully she will be able to tuck in behind him."

Rocket Man (SG) - Barrier No 6

With trainer Patrick Shaw and jockey Robbie Fradd missing from the post position draw, international representative Alastair Donald opened proceedings with a pressure-filled selection.

ROCKET MAN's name was first called and Donald sheepishly stepped forward and drew position number 6.

Fradd was happy with the "pick".

"I think it is a perfect draw," said Fradd. "If there is any speed on my inside, then I can position myself on the outside of it and not get crowded up. "He usually jumps well and if they want to boot up inside I can still sit there, providing my horse is relaxed and comfortable.

"He won't be pulling and all I want for him is to have clear running all the way."

Ntini (SG) - Barrier No 7

Trainer Michael Freedman was disappointed not to have drawn closer.

"At least he's drawn on the outside of ROCKET MAN," said Freedman. "He may be able to slot in somewhere."

Mariol (FRA) - Barrier No 8

The French camp looked understandably crestfallen after the draw.

Said owner Micheline Vidal: "It's not so good, but we will have to live with it. It's however better than 10."

Happy Zero (HK) - Barrier No 9

There was not much joy in the HAPPY ZERO team either as trainer John Moore and jockey Darren Beadman analysed their chances from barrier No 9.

"Not good, not bad. The draw was neither here nor there as we will get back," said Moore. "We just need a good solid pace on up front to help the closers.

"It will all depend how it folds as they jump. With ROCKET MAN, we should get some speed, and that should help us."

Beadman, who this morning had his first sit on HAPPY ZERO since the gelding's arrival last Saturday, was thinking positive.

"You have to play with the cards you're dealt," said Beadman.

"I'll probably have to see how the track is riding on the day. Thank goodness there are only 10 runners in the race."

Cheyenne Dancer (SG) - Barrier No 10

"I don't think you need a quote from me," said a disappointed trainer Michael Freedman.

"Naturally I'm disappointed. He will have to go back now and ride for luck. We'll just have to see what happens now."