PENANG,  31 December 2006

Laurie Laxon, who was crowned champion trainer in Singapore for the third consecutive season on Friday, put the icing on the cake of another successful season when he saddled EXPUNGE to win the RM1.35 million Yang Di Pertua Negeri (Governor) Gold Cup here today.

It was the second season Singapore based horses are invited to contest the 2200m handicap after the resumption of cross-border racing last year.

And it was the second year, too, a Kranji trained horse has walked away with the grand prize after the victory of LIGHT OF SUCCESS, then trained by Len Treloar, last year.

EXPUNGE (5 b.a.g Gilded Time - Prime Again by Marooned), ridden by Aaron Spiteri, stole a run on his rivals in the home straight and held off to win from the fast-finishing LIGHT OF SUCCESS, recently transferred to Malaysia after a disappointing season in Singapore.

Another former Kranji based galloper, YIPPEE BLUE DILL, trained in Malaysia since mid-2005, clinched third placing.

Laxon said after the race: "He just needed a firm going to produce his best. His last three runs in Singapore had been in soft going. He was a Group 2 horse in Australia and there was no question about his ability."

Spiteri, who also rode LIGHT OF SUCCESS to victory last year, said EXPUNGE was normally a lazy horse but he started really well. "I thought I might have gone too soon on him but he hung on well."

EXPUNGE who four races in Australia, including the Kyneton Cup over 2000m. But as a three-year-old, he was third in the Group 3 Tasmanian Derby (2100m). His best run, however, was a splendid third in the Group 2 Sandown Classic over 2400m.

In nine starts in Singapore thus far, EXPUNGE scored his only win over 2200m and he looks set for a stronger showing in the new season.