Singapore Gold Cup placegetter Mr Malek went through his gears for his 2022 reappearance with a quiet but pleasing barrier trial on Thursday.
The Swiss Ace five-year-old first settled in the back half for apprentice jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong before taking closer order three wide midway through the trial.
Inside the last 400m, Kok just allowed his mount to coast through the line under double wraps to run third, three-quarter length off the winner Prosperous Return.
Trainer Steven Burridge, who just returned from Australia after a COVID-19-affected stay, was stoked with the gallop, but knew better not to get too carried away with a horse who's had his hits and misses.
After Mr Malek 's feature race breakthrough in the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) back in July, many expected he would continue on an upward curve, but he showed below-par form which was only revived at his last start when a fighting third to Lim's Lightning with blinkers on first time in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) in November.
He was duly tipped out after the staying showpiece. Burridge said former Singapore champion owner Oscar Racing Stable's only horse currently has not put a foot wrong since a saddle has been put back on him, but whether his Singapore Gold Cup third was a one-off spark or a turning point remains to be seen.
"I was really happy with the trial. He wasn't out there to break any record, it was an easy trial," said Burridge.
"He pulled up good and he'll start off in a Class 2 1200m in two weeks' time (February 19). We're lucky he has 97 points and can still run in Class 2.
"I haven't decided on the jockey yet, whether it's a senior jockey or an apprentice to get some weight off.
"I'll put the blinkers on as they really helped him in the Gold Cup. He tends to switch off, yesterday I put pacifiers on in the trial as I was worried there might be some heavy kickback."
After testing positive to COVID-19 at his recent Australian holidays, Burridge had to extend his stay in isolation to only fly back home on Sunday. The veteran trainer was on hand at his first Kranji meeting at the just-concluded Chinese New Year meeting, but unfortunately met with little joy from his seven runners.
Seson's win on January 22 opened Burridge's 2022 account, but none of his 29 other horses have been able to improve the score since.
"I expected a slow start to the season. I have a lot of horses who are not in their right class," said the 2010 Singapore champion trainer.
"I have an average string, but we can only keep trying every week."
