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Singapore Airlines International Cup - Barrier Draw Reaction 17 May 2007 ONE may frown at having drawn barrier 10 in the field of 13. But to Japanese trainer Yukihiro Kato, it doesn't matter one iota. After all, it "won't affect the game plan" in his horse Shadow Gate's bid in Sunday's S$3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup. Said the 41-year-old: "He'll just jump and go to the front." A Humanities and Sciences and German literature graduate, Kato rates Shadow Gate the best horse in his 56-strong yard in Tokyo. The name Shadow Gate and what he can do have been circulating the Kranji stables that he is expected to get plenty of support in the 2,000m international Group 1 classic. The barrier draw ceremony for the SIA Cup, held at the Ritz Carlton, drew connections from different parts of the world. And excitement was high, no doubt. One happy camp was that from South Africa as its representative Oracle West drew a nice gate, No. 5. Trainer Mike de Kock's deputy, Steve Jell, called barrier 5 a perfect draw. He said: "He can do what he wants from there." Oracle West, who came direct from his unplaced outing in the Audemars Piquet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong, will probably be vying with Shadow Gate for favouritism, partly also because of his high international rating. New Zealand trainer Wayne Hillis was naturally happy drawing an inside gate (No. 2) for his runner Dezigna in the international Group 1 classic over 2,000m. He said: "He usually gets back in the race, so not too much of a concern." Singapore's main hope Crusoe secured a dream marble, No. 3, and race-jockey Andrew Calder, was literally doing cartwheels. The New Zealander had hoped for anything inside barrier 6 at the pre-draw. "Perfect for him," he said. "He can just get into a nice position, doesn't have to work for it." Trainer Patrick Shaw's pair of Setembro Chove and War Horn drew next to each other at 7 and 8 respectively. Said the South African: "I'm happy with the draw. They can get to do what they want." Desmond Reape, head groom of Kandidate (1): "Hopefully he's got the pace to take advantage of the inside draw. He's led many times and he's also come from off the pace, but he predominantly runs from the front. So, I'm very happy with his draw." Steven Burridge, trainer of King And King (6): "It (barrier 6) just makes things a lot easier for us. At least we can ride him the way we want this time -steady and midfield hopefully. Last year we were drawn wide and we were committed to ride him from behind." Desmond Koh, trainer of Ruwi (4): "I'm happy with the draw. He's got some pretty speedy horses inside him. So I hope we'll be able to sit off the speed." Kenji Enami, track rider of Cosmo Bulk (9): "Happy with 9. Only thing is the short distance from the start to the first turn may make it difficult for us, but he has enough speed to cross."
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