Jolie's Shinju new star in Singapore.

Filly Jolie's Shinju slams rivals in Singapore Derby

Report: Singapore, Sunday

Kranji: Singapore Derby (Group 1-Sing) 1m2f, turf, 4yo

BRILLIANT filly Jolie's Shinju (Hideyuki Takaoka/Robbie Stewart) is the new star of the Kranji racing scene after a commanding performance in the Sin$1million (£420,000) Singapore Derby on Sunday.

Her connections are now eyeing a crack at the Cox Plate, Australia's most prestigious weight-for-age contest, after she completed the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, having already won the Patrons' Bowl (7f) and the Singapore Derby Trial (1m).

In front of a capacity crowd at Kranji on Sunday, the Jolie's Halo four-year-old dictated matter from the front before exploding down the straight for a five-length victory in what was little short of a one-horse race for the Emirates-sponsored Derby.

Jolie's Shinju covered the 2,000-metre trip in 2m0.2s to become the first filly to score since Showgirl V in 1973.

"I hope she can now go for the Cox Plate," said her owner, prominent liver surgeon Dr Tan Kai Chah.

"She ran a very good time, which was not all that far from the SIA Cup time. I think she can measure up in Australia.

"Things got off to a great start when she was able to get a clean jump and Ronnie who knows her well, was able to steady up the pace.

"I told Ronnienot to get a rush of blood and let the horse travel within her own steam.

"I also told him not to raise his hand before the winning post. He was good - he did it after the winning post!"

Takaoka, who was speechless after he won last year's Singapore Gold Cup with El Dorado, managed a few words this time.

"She's the best horse I've ever trained. I was confident she could run 2000m and she didn't let me down," he said.

"I thought she might have gone a little bit too fast at one stage, but when I saw Ronnie still had plenty underneath him, I knew she would be hard to catch.

"Cox Plate? Yes, yes, I think she will go for it. We'll let the dust settle and let her run a race here, probably over a mile before she goes to Australia."