Stepitup Spectacular in Raffles Cup

Full of run, but locked away deep into the final furlong of Sunday’s Raffles Cup at Kranji, Stepitup (Aus) (Hussonet) managed to work his way into the clear in the last 50 yards to set himself up for a sweep of the Singapore Triple Crown series in the Longines Singapore Gold Cup over 2200 meters in three weeks’ time.

Third to Horse of the Year War Affair (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) in this event last year, the pint-sized bay was a low-odds sixth in the Committee’s Prize going 1600 meters Sept. 20, but bounced back with a 7-1 upset of the field in the first leg of the Triple Crown series, the Oct. 4 Kranji Mile.

With the 11th-hour withdrawal of Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City), the shape of the Raffles Cup was thrown into some question. Stepitup jumped away cleanly and was in touch with the early pace, but Fastnet Dragon (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) pushed through and was joined by Emperor’s Banquet (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) for the opening three furlongs. Alan Munro allowed Fastnet Dragon to roll entering the turn, but sensing the sluggish pace, Michael Rodd asked Stepitup to take closer order and was onto the back of the pacesetter rounding the bend. It appeared there was some room for Stepitup at the rail, but Fastnet Dragon re-broke and Quecha (Arg) (Pure Prize) had the race favorite boxed in at the 200. Fastnet Dragon kicked again and put about a length on the field, a move that opened the door ever so slightly for Stepitup and he dove across the line a narrow winner.

“He didn’t look like he could win. He sure was in a major spot of bother, he was all jammed up, but geez, he just has this amazing mindset he just has to get the win,” said nine-time Singapore champion trainer Laurie Laxon. “He’s only a small little horse and is the quietest in the stable, you wouldn’t notice him, but what a motor he has.”

The Singapore Gold Cup is the richest event on the domestic calendar, with prize money of S$1.35 million. Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart. VIDEO.

RAFFLES CUP, S$500,000 (US$358,611), Kranji, 10-25, 3yo/up, 1800mT, 1:48.01, gd.
1–STEPITUP (AUS), 128, g, 6, Hussonet–Ain’t Seen Nothin’ (Aus) (MSW & G1SP-Aus, $405,136), by Nothin’ Leica Dane (Aus). (A$90,000 yrl ‘11 INGPRE). O-Tivic Stable; B-Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette Thoroughbred Trading; T-Laurie Laxon; J-Michael Rodd; S$297,500. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo-Sin, 33-15-4-4, S$2,535,836. *1/2 to Ain’tnofallenstar (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), MSW-Aus, $175,530; and Bachman (Aus) (All American {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $227,608.

[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]
2–Fastnet Dragon (Aus), 128, g, 5, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Sister Madrid (Aus), by Fuji Kiseki (Jpn). (A$147,500 Ylg ‘11 INGPRE). O-Zhao Song. S$106,250.

[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]
3–Quechua (Arg), 128, g, 5, Pure Prize–Queen Cabaret (Brz), by Wild Event. O-Avengers Stable. S$53,750.
Margins: HF, 1 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.20, 3.20, 2.40.
Also Ran: Hughsy (Aus), Emperor’s Banquet (Aus), Majestic Moments (NZ), Wild Geese (GB), Imperial March (Arg). Scratched: Wall Street Boy (Aus), Spalato (NZ).