Stepitup back to his best in QE II Cup

SINGAPORE:  Apr 26, 2015
 
STEPITUP battles to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup - SNTC photo

STEPITUP was back to his brilliant best when he captured the S$350,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Kranji here today.

Ridden by Manoel Nunes, the Australian five-year-old had to dig deep to beat Singapore Gold Cup winner QUECHUA by a head. Third in the Singapore Group 2 contest was PARRANDA, winner of the inaugural CECF Singapore Cup last Feb 22, who was having his first run for trainer Michael Freedman.

STEPITUP was prepared by Sonny Yeoh when he made a clean sweep of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge series in 2013.

Turning four, he won two Group 3 races, the Colonial Chief Stakes and Fortune Bowl, but just fell short in the big races, finishing second to SPALATO in the Patrons' Bowl and Singapore Derby.

Last Ocotber, his owners decided on a change trainer to Laurie Laxon and STEPITUP was placed in three of four outings before striking it big again in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup today.

"If he pulls up good, he’s off to his main target, the Singapore Airlines International Cup," said assistant trainer Shane Ellis.

"He’s a small horse with such a big heart. He was just too good today," said Nunes who top-scored today with a treble.

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

 

 ZAC SPIRIT 2014 STAKES

1

 CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M

3

 CATCH ME GREAT M Walker M Rodd

1
  (4 b/br.am.g Circular Quay - Catch Me Deputy by Silver Deputy)

1

 Eva's Day B Dean R Zawari

2

5

 Gadawon S Baertschiger Kellady

3

9

 Geeson Master Khoo Saifudin

4
 

 

 SUPER EASY 2013 STAKES

2

 RESTRICTED MAIDEN - 1200M

4

 PO'DE OURO B Dean M Rodd

1
  (3 b.a.g Nicconi - Watchme by Bel Esprit)  

13

 Aguila Azteca M Walker M Nunes

2

11

 Sun Dance D Koh Woodworth

3

2

 Dragon Highness T Kieser T See

4
 

 

 ROCKET MAN 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 STAKES

3

 BENCHMARK 67 - 2200M

3

 MR SPIELBERG L Laxon M Nunes

1
  (3 b.nz.g Pentire - Beautiful Reward by Diesis)  

5

 Tequila Shot P Shaw N Juglall

2

7

 Galaxy Express H Takaoka A Munro

3

2

 Serpico M Freedman C Newitt

4
 

 

 CAPABLANCA 2008 STAKES

4

 INITIATION - 1400M

8

 DAVINCI M Freedman C Newitt

1
  (3 b.nz.g Mastercraftsman - All Night Party by Just A Dancer)  

13

 Fortune Winner L Dragon TH Koh

2

5

 Flamboyant P Shaw B Vorster

3

4

 Dragon Bobo HW Tan T See

4
 

 

 ADMIRALTY CLASSIC STAKES

5

 SINGAPORE GROUP 3 - 1600M

6

 HUGHSY D Hill CW Brown

1
  (4 ch.a.g Henny Hughes - Shashzaya by Ashkalani)  

8

 Bourbon Goldman B Marsh K A'Isisuhairi

2

1

 Johnny Guitar P Shaw B Vorster

3

5

 In Fact P Shaw N Juglall

4
 

 

 WHY BE 2007 STAKES

6

 BENCHMARK 67 - 1400M

5

 SNITZEL SPIRIT M Freedman CW Brown

1
  (3 ch.a.g Snitzel - Gifted Spirit by Thunder Gulch)  

13

 Jimtown L Dragon N Juglall

2

1

 Aero Wings Junior Khoo M Nunes

3

12

 Benji's Empire S Burridge R Firdhaus

4
 

 

 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP

7

 SINGAPORE GROUP 2 - 2000M

3

 STEPITUP L Laxon M Nunes

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

1

 Quechua P Shaw CW Brown

2

8

 Parranda M Freedman M Rodd

3

5

 Wild Geese S Burridge C Newitt

4
 

 

 ARENTI 2006 STAKES

8

 BENCHMARK 83 - 1600M

7

 IDEAL GUIDE L Laxon M Nunes

1
  (4 b.a.g Red Ransom - Just Dancing by Fusaichi Pegasus)  

4

 Fraajilistic M Freedman C Newitt

2

12

 Squire Osbaldeston S Gray K A'Isisuhairi

3

2

 Absolutely C Brown M Rodd

4
 

 

 LION CITY CUP

9

 SINGAPORE GROUP 1 - 1200M

2

 WAR AFFAIR HW Tan A Munro

1
  (4 br.nz.g O'Reilly - Kristique by Kris S)  

1

 Zac Spirit C Brown M Rodd

2

3

 Emperor Max S Gray CW Brown

3

9

 Kiwi Karma M Clements M Nunes

4
 

 

 NINETYFIVE EMPEROR 2005 STAKES

10

 KRANJI STAKES C - 1200M

10

 MAC VOLKS Khoo N Juglall

1
  (4 b.nz.g Volksraad - Miz Monroe by Shinko King)  

3

 Reach For The Sun D Koh Woodworth

2

1

 Eagle Storm B Dean J Powell

3

9

 Stirling L Laxon B Vorster

4
 

 

 SUPER RACER 2004 STAKES

11

 CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M

4

 RED DAWN S Baertschiger J Powell

1
  (3 ch.nz.g Align - Danness by Danske)  

8

 Dylan L Laxon M Nunes

2

3

 Louey Veloce M Freedman CW Brown

3

2

 Cheyenne Warrior S Burridge A Munro

4