Fairway's Turf Online

Hard Too Think bags Queen Elizabeth II Cup

SINGAPORE: Oct 16, 2021

HARD TO THINK winning the Queen Elizabeth II Cup - SNTC photo

The Queen Elizabeth II Cup lost a glamour runner when LIM'S LIGHTNING was withdrawn on the eve of the Singapore Group 1 race, but HARD TOO THINK proved his worth with a assertive win in the 1800m feature.

The All Too Hard gelding had passed his first big test back in July when he won the Singapore Derby.

Ridden by Marc Lerner again today, HARD TOO THINK settled nicely in second spot on the rails but was boxed when making the turn into the straight when a couple of horses made their move on his outside.

Lerner had to wait for an opening well into the home straight before challenging for the lead to beat KATAK who had taken the lead at the 200m. It was his fifth win 13 starts.

"I just told Marc to see how he jumps, I didn’t think they’d go crazy and he’d get stuck out wide. He got a beautiful ride right through, and he was too good," said trainer Stephen Gray.

"This horse has really improved since his break. He’s now a better horse, both physically and mentally.

He’s got a lot of ability and I have even nominated him for the Hong Kong Vase (2400m) in December."

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	TOP KNIGHT 2020 STAKES
1	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
4	MIRACLE	T Fitzsimmons	M Lerner	1
	(6 ch.a.g Stratum - Golden Delicious by Made Of Gold)
10	Per Incrown	J Tan	O Chavez	2
3	Malibu Beach	R Le Grange	D Beasley	3
6	What You Like	M Walker	PH Seow	4

2	I'M INCREDIBLE 2019 STAKES
2	CLASS 5, DIV 1 - 1600M (POLYTRACK)
5	HELUSHKA	HW Tan	M Zaki	1
	(5 b.e.g Toronado - Fugnina by Hurricane Run)
9	Hidden Promise	M Walker	R Shafiq	2
6	Resurgence	T Fitzsimmons	M Lerner	3
12	Blitz Power	J Ong	TH Koh	4

3	DEBT COLLECTOR 2018 STAKES
3	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M
4	STRONG N SMART	L Khoo	D Beasley	1
	()
11	Royalty	J Ong	TH Koh	2
13	Eagle Eye	D Logan	K Hakim	3
8	Dr Kardo	J Peters	K A'Isisuhairi	4

4	QUECHUA 2017 STAKES
4	CLASS 5 - 1000M (POLYTRACK)
2	HYDE PARK	S Gray	M Lerner	1
	(8 b.nz.g Darci Brahma - Femmebot by Stravinsky)
3	Lim's Knight	D Meagher	D Beasley	2
7	Pindus	D Logan	F Yusoff	3
11	Tesoro Pirata	J Peters	R Iskandar	4

5	LAUGHING GRAVY 2016 STAKES
5	NOVICE (SW) - 1400M
3	HERO	T Fitzsimmons	R Shafiq	1
	(4 b/br.a.g Warrior's Reward - Total Liberty by Statue Of Liberty)
10	Red Dragon	CT Kuah	S John	2
4	Amazing Breeze	J Tan	T Rehaizat	3
1	Royal Return	S Burridge	O Chavez	4

6	STEPITUP 2015 STAKES
6	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
2	PAPERBACK TROOPER	D Meagher	M Kellady	1
	(8 br.a.g Publishing - Star Hussar by Luskin Star)
5	Dragon Ryker	D Logan	F Yusoff	2
7	Maximilian	M Walker	R Shafiq	3
4	Super Talent	KY Young	S John	4

7	WILD GEESE 2014 STAKES
7	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M
3	STUNNING CAT	T Fitzsimmons	K Hakim	1
	(7 br.a.g Smart Missile - Fornini by Stravinsky)
1	The August	S Burridge	O Chavez	2
4	Lim's Samurai	D Meagher	M Kellady	3
12	Chalaza	S Burridge	T Krisna	4

8	BETTER LIFE 2013 STAKES
8	KRANJI STAKES C (SW) - 1800M
5	TRUMPY	M Clements	O Chavez	1
	(6 b.arg.g Lizard Island - Emberly by Halo Sunshine)
2	Elite Incredible	M Clements	K Hakim	2
8	Real Effecto	D Kok	D Beasley	3
10	Wind Trail	H Takaoka	M Lerner	4

9	WAIKATO 2012 STAKES
9	CLASS 5, DIV 2 - 1600M
3	RED RIDING WOOD	M Walker	K Hakim	1
	(8 b/br.nz.g Redwood - Dreamcatcher by Stravinsky)
6	Accumulation	M Walker	CC Wong	2
9	Angel Halo	H Takaoka	O Chavez	3
7	Mings Man	J Ong	N Zyrul	4

10	FATKID 2011 STAKES
10	CLASS 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK)
5	SIAM WARRIOR	J Peters	M Lerner	1
	(7 b.a.g Exceed And Excel - Yesterday by Red Ransom)
4	Moongate Star	D Koh	I Saifudin	2
2	Augustano	M Walker	R Shafiq	3
7	Sacred Gift	M Walker	PH Seow	4

11	QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP
11	SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (WFA) - 1800M
9	HARD TOO THINK	S Gray	M Lerner	1
	(5 b.a.g All Too Hard - Mnemonic by Hussonet)
7	Katak	R Le Grange	M Kellady	2
10	So Hi Class	M Clements	K Hakim	3
5	Sacred Croix	M Walker	R Shafiq	4

12	RACE AHEAD 2010 STAKES
12	CLASS 4 - 1400M
13	SABAH STAR	D Kok	O Chavez	1
	(5 br.nz.g Pins - Onesey by Fast 'N' Famous)
4	The Wild Bunch	J Ong	TH Koh	2
12	Super Smart	KY Young	S John	3
1	Lim's Passion	D Meagher	D Beasley	4