South African raider Lizard's Desire wiped away the disappointment of losing by a breath in the Dubai World Cup by exacting sweet revenge on the winner Gloria De Campeao in the $3 million International Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on Sunday.

After falling agonizingly short by a nose to the French galloper, the Mike de Kock-trained gelding by unfashionable sire Lizard Island was on a mission to turn the tables on his victor, who happened to be also on another agenda of his own - capture the SIA Cup back to back.

Relishing the cracking pace set by Singapore's bold front-running mare Jolie's Shinju (Ronnie Stewart), $20 shot Lizard's Desire (Kevin Shea) came from a rearward position three to four wide to swing for home with a realistic chance of pegging back the leaders.

Jolie's Shinju knuckled down valiantly but bowed out at the 300m unable to fend off the challenge of her classier international opponents. Gloria De Campeao (Bruno Reis), who had done all the bullocking work tracking up Jolie's Shinju from the start, was the first to hit the lead but Waikato (Joao Moreira), Lizard's Desire and Al Shemali (Royston Ffrench) were right on his hammer, closing in threateningly.

Lizard's Desire laid in under pressure but Shea was able to extract the best out of his mount to get up by half a length from Gloria De Campeao. Al Shemali, who was running on, was noticeably eased down by Ffrench in the concluding stages, looking slightly inconvenienced by Lizard's Desire laying in to run third another 1 ¾ lengths away in a time of 2 min 02.12 secs on a yielding track.

But all honours to the de Kock camp, who was finally cracking it for their first International win in Singapore after five attempts (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010), and had brought the Sheikh MK Al Maktoum-owned charge to peak condition for the race.

"The fast pace played into our hands. When the two frontrunners got away, I knew he would be putting down his big run at the finish," said assistant-trainer Stephen Jell.

"He loves this type of ground and he was flying at the finish. His preparation has gone well though there was a bit of a concern he was coming off a long international campaign.

"He's travelled to as many as five countries but one of his greatest assets is he is such a great traveller. He fully deserved tonight's win.

"He's going back to Dubai on Wednesday and will have two months of rest in the paddocks. He's earned it.

"Obviously his main mission will be the Dubai Carnival again next March, but at the back of our mind we will also have Hong Kong in December as an option.

"I'd like to thank the Singapore Turf Club for taking good care of us throughout our stay here. We're all very appreciative of what they've done."

Shea, who has been doing a rain dance in the lead-up to the 2000m showcase, was in a buoyant mood when the heavens opened all evening on Sunday, and the smiles certainly turned to rapturous joy at the winner's stall.

"I don't think I will ever forget the World Cup defeat. But as a sportsman, you accept you got beat but tonight is just awesome," said Shea.

"Everything's gone to plan. First the rain came down. I told you that this guy would be even better if it rains.

"I wanted pace in the race and I got it though I was a bit concerned when Shadow Gate was scratched at the barriers as I knew he was one of the on-pacers.

"He quickened up so well down the home straight and to take on a horse like Gloria De Campeao just goes to show how good he really is.

"All credit to the Mike de Kock team. They've done a fantastic job with this horse.

"We've come a long way going to Dubai, Hong Kong and now here. His work on Wednesday was phenomenal and on Friday, he worked like Rocket Man.

"He'll go for a rest now, but I'd love to stick with him when he comes back.

"I'd like to thank the Singapore Turf Club and the sponsors for all their help during our stay here. A special thank you to Debbie Hawkins (Singapore Turf Club horse ownership senior manager) for being here for us."

Unfortunately, the South African jockey's celebrations would be soured in the stewards' room when he was suspended for three days for careless riding at the 200m when he allowed Lizard's Desire to roll in. As he was engaged to ride in South Africa next Friday and Sunday, his suspension will start on May 24.

French trainer Pascal Bary was gracious in defeat though he wished the track had not taken a soaking prior to the race.

"He ran really well," said Bary. "Maybe the result would have been different without the rain, but we will never know.

"Over the back he may have done a bit too much, but if he is still in form I would love to come back.

"He is a horse that just loves to run."

Gloria De Campeao's Brazilian jockey Reis must be credited with a near-perfect ride given he was jumping aboard for the first time and did not know the track either.

"He jumped well and was running nicely," said Reis through an interpreter. "At the 1000m he started to travel a bit keen and he wanted to fight me a bit and would not come back and relax.

"I didn't know the horse which made it a little difficult, but I am extremely happy with how the horse ran and he gave me a good feeling.

"I have to say thank you to everyone here in Singapore who gave me such a warm welcome."

The Luca Cumani-trained Presvis, who started as the $17 favourite and ran second to Gloria De Campeao last year, could only manage fifth this year, just under five lengths off the winner.

"It was a mixture of the ground and throwing his right fore shoe, Ryan (Moore) thinks, on the first corner," said assistant-trainer Charlie Henson.

"He keeps finding some problems and did strike trouble at a vital stage, but the biggest concern was the ground."

The first of the local gallopers home was the ever-reliable Waikato, who ran fourth - the third consecutive time he has done so in one of our two International races. He ran fourth in the KrisFlyer in 2008 and 2009.

"It is a great thrill to be the first Singapore horse home," said Laxon. "He's run a great race and Joao gave him a great ride.

"I won't be travelling anywhere with him. I just love it here in Singapore too much."

Though Jolie's Shinju did not finish in the top four, regular partner Stewart was confident the old groove was back and could not wait to get back on her in domestic races.

"She has run fantastic," said Stewart. "May be on top of the ground she would have kept going.

"She tried her heart out and it was only over the last 100m that she knocked up.

"May be if the runner-up didn't come at me from the 1000m she may have made it a bit more interesting.

"On that run you would have to say she is back."