South African raider Lizard’s Desire turned the tables on Gloria De Campeao to score a half-length victory in the G1 Singapore International Cup (2000m) on Sunday. Gloria De Campeao, who was going for back-to-back wins in Singapore’s signature event, had defeated Lizard’s Desire in a head-bobbing finish to the Dubai World Cup in March.
Local star Jolie’s Shinju set a cracking pace in front until she was overhauled by Gloria De Campeao in the straight. The French visitor had done all the bullocking work taking the field up to the leader and was a sitting shot for the eventual winner.
Lizard’s Desire (5g Lizard Island – Annsfield by Northfields) won the G3 East Cape Derby at Arlington and was also runner-up in the G2 Gold Circle Derby at Clairwood before trainer Mike de Kock sent him off-shore. Apart from being nailed a nose in the Dubai World Cup, he was also beaten a neck by Viva Pataca in the HK Queen Elizabeth II Cup last month.
The winner’s sire Lizard Island was purchased by high-profile South African owner-breeder Sabine Plattner for $800,000 at the 1998 Inglis Easter yearling sale. He is by Danzig sire Lure and his dam Prawn Cocktail also foaled Danehill’s Group winning fillies Langoustine and One World.
Lizard Island raced just three times in South Africa for two wins and a place before retiring to Plattner’s La Plaissance Stud in the Cape Province. His first stakes winner was the Plattner homebred Jamaican Dream who was a G3 winner of the Langerman Hcp and Cape Classic.
Lizard’s Desire gave de Kock his initial Kranji feature after several attempts in Singapore since 2005. The winner carries the colours of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa as do his stablemates Musir (Redoute’s Choice) and Raihana (Elusive Quality) who completed the UAE Derby – Oaks double in March.
Jockey Kevin Shea gave credit to de Kock for keeping the horse up for so long. “We’ve come a long way going to Dubai, Hong Kong and now here. He worked just like Rocket Man on Friday. He will go for a rest now but I’d love to stick with him when he comes back.”