New Zealand-bred multiple stakes winner Bocelli, one of Singapore's leading runners, was stripped of his triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kranji on October 20 after post-race test results revealed the presence of a banned substance.

The Singapore Turf Club automatically disqualified Bocelli for testing positive for salicyclic acid, commonly known as aspirin. His trainer, Paddy Busuttin, was fined approximately $608.

"It is a medication that Bocelli has always been trained on," Busuttin told Racing Post. "We have always followed the guidelines and until now, it has never been a problem. Unfortunately, for some reason the substance did not clear Broccoli's system in time and he returned a positive. The rules are the rules and we have to take it on the chin, but it is disappointing."

With the loss of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the New Zealand-bred Bocelli has won ten of 22 career starts, including the Singapore Derby.