Stepitup Takes Four-Way Photo in Singapore’s QEII Cup; Parranda Close Third

Stepitup finally returned to the form which saw him sweep the local 3-year-old series in 2013 with a thrilling victory in a blanket finish in this prep for the S$3-million Singapore Airlines International Cup May 17. 

Winless in 12 starts since annexing the Fortune Bowl 14 months ago, Stepitup was away without incident from gate two and settled slightly worse than midfield as Slew of Lode, wide into the first turn, was able to establish a clear lead turning up the backstretch. Former U.S.-based runner Parranda, having her first start since taking the CECF Singapore Cup Feb. 22, raced outside Stepitup down the backstretch and was pulled out four wide while traveling well for Michael Rodd nearing the straight. She went up to engage Quechua with a little less than a quarter mile to run, but that duo soon had company in the form of defending race winner Wild Geese (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), no better than a 20-1 chance in the title defense. Those three set the stage for a head-bobbing finish, but Manoel Nunes was able to coax just a little extra out of Stepitup and they lunged between Parranda and Wild Geese to deliver the knockout punch. 

“He’s a small horse with such a big heart. He was just too good today,” said Nunes. “It was a small field, and I had to ride him for luck. But I was in a good spot on the fence and just following Quechua. He was also off the bridle and I had to keep pushing him and luckily, he got going again at the right moment. He may need blinkers at his next run.” Click for the Singapore Turf club chart. VIDEO.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP, S$350,000 (US$262,735), Kranji, 4-26, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:03.15, gd. 
1–STEPITUP (AUS), 128, g, 5, Hussonet–Ain’t Seen Nothin’ (Aus) (MSW & G1SP-Aus), by Nothin’ Leica Dane (Aus). (A$90,000 yrl ‘11 INGMEL). O-Tivic Stable; B-Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette Thoroughbred Trading; T-Laurie Laxon; J-Manoel Nunes; S$208,250. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo-Sin, 25-10-4-4, S$1,651,309. *1/2 to Ain’tnofallenstar (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), MSW-Aus; and Bachman (Aus) (All American {Aus}), GSW-Aus. 
2–Quechua (Arg), 128, g, 4, Pure Prize–Queen Cabaret (Brz), by Wild Event. O-Avengers Stable. S$74,375. 
3–Parranda, 125, m, 6, English Channel–Dynamic Feature, by Rahy. ($13,000 2yo ‘11 OBSAPR; $800,000 HRA ‘14 FTKNOV). S$37,625. 
Margins: NK, HD, NK. Odds: 2.60, 1.40, 3.20. 
Also Ran: Wild Geese (GB), Emperor’s Banquet (Aus), Danger Zone (Jpn), Martin (NZ), Slew of Lode (Arg), Thumping.