The Patrick Shaw had every reason to be happy with the run of their Singapore Gold Cup pair of hopefuls on Sunday, with Maurice Utrillo scoring a narrow win in the $95,000 Better Than Ever 2010 Stakes (1800m) and Lizarre running an encouraging fourth to Flax in the day’s feature, the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m).

With the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) looming as their main target on November 11, the two runs were the perfect trial towards the time-honoured handicap race, which Shaw won once with Mr Line in 2006.

Assistant-trainer Ricardo Le Grange said the win by Maurice Utrillo could help him make the cut as a lightweight chance while Lizarre, who ran second to El Dorado in last year’s renewal, was “peaking at the right time”.

“Maurice Utrillo is Mr Consistency at the stable. He has been an old stable stalwart and it’s always good to see him win,” he said.

“He found the line very well. He can probably sneak in at a light weight in the Gold Cup in three weeks’ time.

“As for Lizarre, it was a very solid run in the Raffles Cup. The Gold Cup is coming at the right time for him.”

Jockey Barend Vorster who was aboard Maurice Utrillo ($38) said the soft underfoot conditions did not seem to be to his liking, but the Irish-bred six-year-old by Sadler’s Wells still showed plenty of heart to get home in the nick of time.

“He’s such a fighter. He had 58kg on his back and was struggling to hold his position on the heavy track,” said Vorster.

“But he really showed plenty of courage to accelerate in the home straight. He pulled up once he levelled up with the other horse (Cash Luck), but he put the head down where it mattered.

“It’s a pity that he will now cop a penalty with the win, and he will have to step up on his class.

“I’m glad I was able to get another win for (owner) Fred (Crabbia) as we’ve got so many seconds lately.”

Maurice Utrillo has now recorded seven wins from 37 starts for prizemoney close to $550,000 for Crabbia.