The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained 4yr-old dug deep into his stamina reserves to score his second career group 1 victory on a testing rain-affected track.
Turn It Up began the season as horse that had had just three starts, and has cemented himself in the very top tier of New Zealand's pacers.
He continued in that vein last night, leaving Purdon, the conditioner of so many champions, in awe.
"It is just unheard of what he has done," the Rolleston trainer-driver said.
The rain-soaked Addington track took its toll on the usually lightning-fast Turn It up. He did not hit the passing lane after turning for home with quite his usual vigour.
That meant Purdon had to ask the horse to dig deep and he did exactly that.
"The conditions were so testing and it was his first run in quite a while [the Waikato Flying Mile on January 11].
"It was just all heart that got him to the line. It was a very courageous effort."
Turn It Up's victory should serve as a massive warning shot to pospective rivals in the Taylor Mile and New Zealand Messenger Championships at Alexandra Park.
Purdon confirmed Turn It Up would be even harder to beat with more race fitness on his side.
While the horse was building momentum steadily on the passing lane after trailing the leader Henry Hubert for the last lap, A G's White Socks was flashing home.
The Greg and Nina Hope-trained 5yr-old came up just a nose short of victory and was forced to play a supporting role, like he has done so many times before.
Thefixer battled away solidly for third ahead of Henry Hubert, who did not help his chances with a minor mistake at the start.
Hail Christian produced one of the runs of the race when rushing in to fifth. He had been buried four back on the pegs after leading early in the event.
Miracle Mile winner Spankem battled in to sixth behind his stablemate, Elle Mac, after sitting parked in the tough conditions for the last lap.
The Purdon and Rasmussen-trained Ultimate Sniper confirmed his status as the country's leading 3yr-old by winning the New Zealand Derby last night.
Driver Rasmussen took no chances with the favourite, taking him to the lead early.
No other horse challenged the pair thereafter and Ultimate Sniper duly won his second derby of the season.
