Grandera takes Singapore Cup Godolphin`s Grandera, ridden by Frankie Dettori, justified favouritism when winning the 1.8 million-dollar Singapore Cup at the Kranji Turf Club today. Grandera overcame a slow start, lying in ninth place at the halfway mark of the 2,000-metre Group One race, to claim the top prize by two lengths, coming with a strong late run to beat German horse Paolini, ridden by Andreas Suborics, and Hong Kong`s Indigenous with Olivier Doeuze aboard. Grandera recorded a time of two minutes 1.30 seconds. Godolphin`s other entry, Atlantis Prince, ridden by top Japanese jockey Yutaka Take, finished a disappointing ninth in a field of 13. Dubai Classic winner Terre A Terre was pulled from the list due an illness, leaving French jockey Christophe Soumillon without a mount in the third leg of the World Series Racing Championships. Dettori, who treated the crowd to his trademark flying dismount after the race, was ecstatic with the triumph that puts him in the lead in the world series jockey standings with 18 points. 'He was a very consistent horse in Europe last year. The race set up well for home and he was nearly up to his best of last year,' he said. 'We lagged behind by nearly one and a half lengths with 300 metres remaining and when I asked him he delivered.' Godolphin`s racing manager Simon Crisford was full of praise for the winner. 'He`s come on since Hong Kong and will be a very nice international horse for us. I`m not sure of his next race but he will be aimed at the Arlington Million,' said a beaming Crisford. The race had its share of mishaps as well when Universal Price fell, throwing off jockey Justin Sheehan near the 300 metre mark, as Grandera made his move against the then-leader Paolini. Fortunately, both rider and the mount escaped unhurt.
