Singapore has seen the running of 36 Queen Elizabeth II Cups and none have been more momentous than the very first one in 1972 and the 2006 edition.

The reason is regally simple. Her Majesty was there, not just in silverware, but in the flesh!

To exchange a handshake or a fleeting eye contact with one of the most famous people on the planet would have made anyone go weak in the knees (hence, probably the curtsy) - except maybe for trainer John Meagher who was seen talking shop with the Queen during the 2006 pre-race presentation like they were from the same lawn bowls club (it turned out in later years that John was giving the Queen an update of one of her former horses' whereabouts – Royal Warrant).

But to be presented the winning trophy from the Queen's own Harrods-gloved hands are chances in Halley's comet stakes, that only two Singapore trainers have had the honour of grabbing with two very shaky hands, 34 years apart – Ivan Allan and Steven Burridge.



Proud moment: Steven Burridge receives from Queen Elizabeth II the trophy named after her.   

Former multiple-champion trainer Allan saddled Jumbo Jet to take out the inaugural race which was specially staged to mark the visit of Her Majesty to the Bukit Timah racecourse. Allan eventually won the race three times while the record remains Teh Choon Beng's haul of seven wins.

Two years ago, it was Burridge's turn to experience Windsor pomp and pageantry first-hand when King And King gave him the best possible reminder that waking up at 5am every day can be more than worth its while at times. It was also his first Group win.

“That has to be not only the best racing moment of my life but probably one of the best days of my life. Winners are grinners!” said Burridge who still can't wipe out the smile whenever he recalls that special day when the Queen revisited Singapore races at the new Kranji home.

This Sunday, the former Melbourne jockey gets a chance to broaden his smile further with the honest duo of World Delight and Trigger Express, never mind if the Queen won't be gracing the time-honoured race of her royal presence.

Trigger Express was a third of Burridge's three-pronged attack in last year's 2000m race, but like the other two, King And King and World Leaders, failed to make the trainer scale the exalting heights of 2006.

This year, Burridge knows his pair will need to go past a certain Top Spin to have any sort of a chance of picking up the $350,000 race.

The Laurie Laxon-trained galloper is bidding for his fourth Group win in a row and has yet to be beaten by Burridge's pair, though World Delight was warming up very well to the task when third during Top Spin's fighting win in the Group 3 Chairman's Trophy (1800m) on March 21.

“My horses are both in good form and should run a good race,” he said. “Look, it would be great if I could win the QEII Cup again, but Top Spin remains the horse to beat.”

Trigger Express (x Citidancer), who will have French jockey Eric Legrix aboard in the Cup, stepped out for a hit-out over the turf on Wednesday, with Burridge himself doing the steering duties.

“He's not a great worker, but he pulled up well after his pacework on the turf track,” said Burridge. “He's improving all the time and will be spot-on for Sunday.”

As for World Delight (x Mellifont) who will be ridden by John Powell, Burridge has been keeping him ticking over since his fast-finishing third to Capablanca in last Friday's Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m).

“World Delight has had a quiet time since he put in some hard work in the Lion City Cup,” he said.

Copyright 2006 Singapore Turf Club