Fairway's Turf Online

Quechua bounces back with Cup win

SINGAPORE: Jun 4, 2017

QUECHUA cruising home in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup - SNTC photo

Former Singapore Gold Cup and Derby winner QUECHUA is back in the winner's circle after 10 months when winning the S$500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1800m at Kranji here today.

LAUGHING GRAVY, last year's winner of the Group 1 race when it was staged over 2000m, attempted to make all the running but was caught out by QUECHUA, ridden for the first time by Vlad Duric.

QUECHUA, who settled just off the pace and poised to strike when the field entered the home stretch, won by two lengths for his ninth win in 31 starts.

After winning the Chairman's Trophy last August, QUECHUA managed just one placing, a second to DEBT COLECTOR in the Raffles Cup.

Despite two unplaced runs to start the 2017 season, QUECHUA sent to Dubai and was soundly beaten in the US$1 million Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) last March.

"Quechua has been a special horse to me. We tried blinkers and a tongue-tie on him just to change things up with him, and it looks like it’s paid off," said trainer Ricardo le Grange.

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

1	LAUGHING GRAVY 2016 STAKES
1	KRANJI STAKES D, DIV 1 - 1600M
5	HIDDEN PROMISE	M Walker	R Shafiq	1
	(4 b.nz.g Postponed - Promissory by Zabeel)
3	Ground Control	M Clements	G Boss	2
4	Gannet	M Walker	M Nunes	3
10	Neo's Classic	D Kok	Y Salim	4

2	STEPITUP 2015 STAKES
2	MAIDEN - 1400M
2	WINTERFELL	S Baertschiger	J Powell	1
	(3 gr.nz.g Showcasing - Fly To Me by Danzig Connection)
7	Lim's Sparkle	S Burridge	K A'Isisuhairi	2
5	Great Sevene	S Burridge	M Rodd	3
11	Dreamer Legend	B Marsh	N Juglall	4

3	WILD GEESE 2014 STAKES
3	CLASS 4, DIV 2 - 1200M
1	BIG MAN	S Baetschiger	J Powell	1
	(4 br.nz.g Alamosa - Dr Klaire by Flying Spur)
9	Copacabana	C Brown	G Schofield	2
5	Damon	M Walker	R Zawari	3
2	Gariza	R Le Grange	B Vorster	4

4	BETTER LIFE 2013 STAKES
4	KRANJI STAKES D, DIV 2 - 1600M
6	MOMENT OF JUSTICE	M Walker	A Munro	1
	(4 b.a.g Daliapour - Fleety Moments by Grandera)
5	High Council	D Meagher	D Beasley	2
8	Khudawand	M Clements	V Duric	3
7	Sky Eleven	Khoo	Saifudin	4

5	WAIKATO 2012 STAKES
5	CLASS 4, DIV 1 - 1200M
7	LIM'S SHOT	L Laxon	D Beasley	1
	(4 br.nz.g Showcasing - Lucinda Jane by San Luis)
1	Ladrone	S Baertschiger	Kellady	2
11	Get Going	M Clements	S Shafrizal	3
4	Zippy General	S Burridge	M Rodd	4

6	BRITISH CLUB GALLOP 2017 STAKES
6	CLASS 3 - 1400M
8	SOLARIS SPECTRUM	S Baertschiger	H Syafiq	1
	(5 br.a.g Time Thief - Chloris by Scenic)
3	Flak Jacket	S Baertschiger	Kellady	2
9	Winning Cause	R Le Grange	N Juglall	3
2	Kirks Ryker	R Le Grange	B Vorster	4

7	FATKID 2011 STAKES
7	CLASS 4 - 2000M
7	EL DON	S Gray	G Boss	1
	(4 b.nz.g Don Eduardo - Divinity by Woodman)
4	Secret Win	D Meagher	Woodworth	2
5	Justice Fair	M Yusof	M Rodd	3
6	Chairman	L Laxon	M Nunes	4

8	RACE AHEAD 2010 STAKES
8	NOVICE (SW) - 1400M
5	CHOPIN'S FANTAISIE	M Clements	V Duric	1
	(3 b.nz.g Pins - Golden Gamble by Oregon)
3	Magic City	L Laxon	M Nunes	2
7	Leon	M Clements	M Rodd	3
1	Fuego	D Kok	H Syafiq	4

9	QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP
9	SINGAPORE GROUP 1 (WFA) - 1800M
2	QUECHUA	R Le Grange	V Duric	1
	(6 b.arg.g Pure Prize - Queen Cabaret by Wild Event)
8	Laughing Gravy	C Brown	D Browne	2
5	Storm Troops	R Le Grange	N Juglall	3
10	Gilt Complex	C Brown	M Rodd	4

10	RESTORED 2009 STAKES
10	BENCHMARK 83 - 1800M
2	NAZIR	M Walker	R Zawari	1
	(5 gr.nz.g Mastercraftsman - Visique by Quest For Fame)
10	Excellency	R Le Grange	CC Wong	2
9	The Capital	R Le Grange	B Vorster	3
4	Robin Hood	HW Tan	Woodworth	4

11	TRIGGER EXPRESS 2008 STAKES
11	CLASS 4 - 1400M
10	AOTEAROA	L Laxon	M Nunes	1
	(3 ch.nz.f Sakhee's Secret - Sista by Magic Of Sydney)
3	Lim's Casino	S Burridge	G Boss	2
2	Saraab	R Le Grange	N Juglall	3
4	Really Capable	S Gray	G Schofield	4