Newcomer to training ranks Sonny Yeoh looks to have a highly promising galloper in Stepitup after he maintained his unbeaten record in the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1200m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Ivaldo Santana, Stepitup ran away to record a four-and-a-quarter length victory from Man Of Substance (Greg Cheyne) with Mr Mani (Joao Moreira) three lengths away third.
Yeoh, who officially took over from his elder brother Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye on September 1, has trained seven winners for the season with three of them supplied by Stepitup who also provided the trainer with his first winner on September 28.
Stepitup, who weighed in at 440kg on Sunday, has shown a liking for both racing surfaces at Kranji.
He won on debut from a midfield position on the Polytrack over 1000m before coming from back in the field when successful over 1200m on the turf on October 26.Jumping from the widest barrier on Sunday, Santana had the gelding closer to the speed on Sunday despite covering a little ground.
But it didn’t matter as when Santana pressed the button soon after straightening, Stepitup quickly opened up a winning margin which he held all the way to the line.
Yeoh believes Stepitup has the potential to go further than the company he has been defeating to date.
“He’s a pretty decent horse,” said Yeoh. “He’s only small but he’s got a big heart.
“I think he’ll go far. He’ll win better races.”
Santana, who landed a race-to-race double and also his 50th winner in his initial stint in Singapore, said there was more to come from Stepitup.
“He’s all heart,” said Santana. “He’s small but is a real trier.
“Last time out he jumped a bit slow and that is why he got back but today he jumped a lot better.
“We didn’t have the best barrier today but I was able to get forward and he showed a very good turn of foot in the straight.
“I have to say I am happy with how my year has gone in Singapore so far and I’m looking forward to next year.”
A three-year-old Hussonet from the Nothin’ Leica Dane mare Ain’t Seen Nothin’, Stepitup was an A$90,000 yearling purchase and has returned Tivic Stable around $100,000 in prizemoney for his three victories.
Santana made it a treble for the afternoon when he captured the final event, the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1200m aboard Humour Town.
