The 2012 Singapore International Airlines Cup was won by Chinchon, ridden by Olivier Doleuze, who powered away in the wet conditions in the last 100 metres to draw away for a three length win over Zaidan, with Flax third another half a length away with Zazou in fourth another 2 ¾ lengths away.

“It was just reward for the connections to come here for a second attempt following Chinchon’s fifth place behind Gitano Hernando in last year” commented “Hyperion” (Robert Bishop) at Kranji.

Chinchon was trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias and is a seven year old son of Marju. He started at just under 4-1. Second Zaidan was trained by John Moore.

The quality field also included California Memory, Thumbs Up, Dream Peace and Waikato. City Style was an unfortunate last minute scratching at the gate.

Chinchon’s previous run was an eighth behind Rulership in the Hong Kong’s Group 1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m). The SIA win was his second Group One following his win in the Group 1 United Nations Stakes (2200m) at Monmouth Park, USA in 2009.

Doleuze said much of the success probably hinged on the decision of going “one-off” behind California Memory in the early stages of the race to hug the rails.