Godolphin's frustrating few weeks turned in to outright disappointment when City Style was withdrawn at the start before the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji Racecourse yesterday.
City Style, who was among the favourites for the Group 1 contest won by French raider Chinchon, reared up in the stalls as he was being guided into gate 10 towards the end of the loading process.
The six year old threw Mickael Barzalona on to the floor and was taken out of the race on the advice of the vets at the Singapore racecourse.
"We requested City Style be loaded in the stalls last as he can act up in them," Simon Crisford, the racing manager for the Dubai-based organisation, said from the track. "It is disappointing the request was not allowed. There seems to have been a breakdown in communications, which is annoying because City Style did act up.
"Luckily, both the jockey and the horse were not hurt."
Dubai regular Patrick Shaw picked up the International Sprint on the same card when Ato outpointed his eight more fancied rivals in the Group 1 contest.
Shaw had been forced to scratch from the race Rocket Man, the 2011 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, earlier in the week as a precaution due to swollen ligaments.
"It's bitter sweet but Ato was my second choice and I was confident," Shaw said.
Secret Asset, who was eighth in the Al Quoz sprint in March, was third behind Mr Big, while Krypton Factor, this season's Golden Shaheen victor, was fifth.
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