Stepitup takes Singapore 3YO Sprint

SINGAPORE:  Mar 31, 2013
 
STEPITUP masters SIMPLE PLEASURES to give trainer Sonny
Yeoh his first group win - SNTC photo

Trainer Sonny Yeoh, who took over from his brother Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye last year, has landed his first group race after STEPITUP triumphed in the S$250,000 Singapore 3YO Sprint at Kranji here today.

The Australian gelding has been improving with every run since causing a huge upset in his debut (paying $421 for a win) last September which also happened to be Yeoh's maiden win.

Beaten into second spot just once in four more runs since, STEPITUP was facing HUKA FALLS for the first time. The latter started odds-on favourite after chalking up eight wins in 10 starts and despite finishing fourth in the Merlion Trophy two weeks ago.

But jockey Ivaldo Santana rode a well-judged race to bring STEPITUP from just off the pace to master the front-running SIMPLE PLEASURES after a tussle to win by a short head.

HULA FALLS was a disappointing fourth.

STEPITUP's win is bad news for his potential rivals in the next two legs of the Singapore 3YO series this year. "He will be even better over 1400m and 1600m," said Yeoh. "I used to think his small size was a handicap, but that’s the way he is." 

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

1

 SKY BULLET 2002
  CLASS 5 - 1100M (POLYTRACK)

3

 MAGICAL SUNSET B Dean K A'Isisuhairi

1
  (4 b.a.g Hussonet - Magically by Danehill)  

9

 Shen Kim S Chua M Nunes

2

11

 Midlife Crisis O'Hara I Santana

3

8

 Specta Dilemma O'Hara Z Zuriman

4

2

 RAUL 2003
  RESTRICTED MAIDEN, DIV 2 - 1400M

2

 SUGARTIME JAZZ B Dean Chavez

1
  (3 b.a.g Danehill Express - Gertrude McFuzz by O'Reilly)  

5

 Nobleman Star Khoo W L Tan

2

1

 Twist Oliver C Brown S King

3

12

 Marshallette P Shaw B Vorster

4

3

 RECAST 2004
  CLASS 4, DIV 3 - 1400M      

3

 XAVIO S Gray K A'Isisuhairi

1
  (4 ch.nz.g Align - Macanudo by Kingdom Bay)  

8

 War Lord L Dragon J Moreira

2

7

 Marcusino P Shaw B Vorster

3

4

 Marathon Lad D Koh J Verenzuela

4

4

 FOREST GOLD 2005
  RESTRICTED MAIDEN, DIV 1 - 1400M  

1

 OM M Walker J Moreira

1
  (3 b.nz.g Darco Brahma - Songfest by Unbridled's Song)  

11

 Danger Zone H Takaoka A Munro

2

9

 Excusez Moi D Hill Z Zuriman

3

2

 Domenico P Shaw B Vorster

4

5

 WHY BE 2006
  BENCHMARK 53 - 1700M (POLYTRACK)  

2

 FLY NOW S Gray K A'Isisuhairi

1
  (4 blk.nz.g Sandtrap - Pine Tree by Christmas Tree)  

1

 Beautiful World D Koh J Verenzuela

2

5

 Money Bee Khoo J Moreira

3

11

 Chevy O'Hara Saifudin

4

6

 LIM'S OBJECTIVE 2007
  RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M  

6

 RICHWEST D Koh T Rehaizat

1
  (3 b.a.g Canny Lad - Naturally by Mtoto)  

3

 Big Ready L Laxon J Moreira

2

7

 Star Rainbow M Walker A Munro

3

8

 Zac Suggestion M Walker M Nunes

4

7

 BIG MAVERICK 2008
  CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1400M      

3

 MUSKETEER H Takaoka A Munro

1
  (4 b.j.g Kurofune - Dance Endless by Dance In The Dark)  

1

 Alpha Centauri M Walker J Moreira

2

12

 Winning Success S Chua Zaki

3

8

 Goliath S Burridge K A'Isisuhairi

4

8

 MOORING 2009 INITIATION - 1600M (POLYTRACK)

7

 SILVER AND GOLD L Dragon J Powell

1
  (3 br.arg.c Easing Along - Silver Fortune by Labeeb)  

8

 Yes Baba P Shaw J Moreira

2

2

 Blazing Spur D Koh T Rehaizat

3

4

 Chapter And Verse B Dean I Santana

4

9

 SINGAPORE 3YO SPRINT SINGAPORE G3 (POLYTRACK)

2

 STEPITUP S Yeoh I Santana

1
  (3 b.a.g Hussonet - Ain't Seen Nothin' by Nothin' Leica Dane)  

8

 Simple Pleasures S Baertschiger D Beasley

2

6

 Super Good M Freedman J Verenzuela

3

1

 Huka Falls L Laxon J Moreira

4

10

 BETTER THAN EVER 2010
  OPEN STAKES - 1400M      

7

 THE COMEDIAN M Freedman I Santana

1
  (6 b.a.g Encosta De Lago - How Funny by Rory's Jester)  

2

 Flax D Hill J Verenzuela

2

1

 Always Certain M Freedman M Nunes

3

5

 Keep Away H Takaoka Zaki

4

11

 GINGERBREAD MAN 2011
  NOVICE - 1200M      

12

 BENDICION H Takaoka A Munro

1
  (3 b.j.f Black Tide - Harbor Ojo by Commander In Chief)  

6

 Zac Spirit C Brown J Powell

2

8

 Mr Magnus S Gray J Moreira

3

2

 Flag Of Command M Walker J Verenzuela

4

12

 SUPER EASY 2012
  CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1400M      

1

 INDICIO S Gray K A'Isisuhairi

1
  (4 b.nz.g Ishiguru - Blazing Bridles by Unbridled's Song)  

3

 Spyder P Shaw J Moreira

2

4

 To Be Remembered L Laxon D Beasley

3

2

 Raziyya Of Sydney M Freedman S King

4