Trainer Alwin Tan has always held Maximus in high regard, but the way he accounted for a smart field to land his first feature race last time out surprised even him.
To the Singaporean handler, that Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes (1600m) win on December 9 was a clear indication that the US-bred five-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid has finally come into his own.
It’s little surprise Maximus was voted as the Most Improved Horse for the 2018 season – a well-deserved reward for a horse who started from scratch at Kranji.
Just one year ago, he ran on New Year’s Day in a Class 3 race, stepping up in grade off a two-in-a-row in Class 4 company. He ran sixth.
It was onwards and upwards for the chestnut from that point. He won five races at his next nine outings, including a Korean raid albeit unsuccessful, leaping from 73 points to 109 points.
And that figure could soar even further in Tuesday’s $200,000 Group 3 New Year Cup (1200m) – one year exactly from his first foray into Class 3 territory – if he franks that brilliant form in the Colonial Chief Stakes.
That day, he was well favoured to show his mettle against higher-rated rivals Circuit Land and Distinctive Darci, but he beat both with a touch of arrogance not many had seen coming, not even Tan.
“I was quite surprised to see him win the way he did in the Colonial Chief,” said Tan who has yet to win the New Year Cup.
“That day he showed he has reached his peak, he has become a Class 1 horse. I always knew he was a good horse, but he has really matured in the last two to three months.
“After he won the Colonial Chief Stakes, the New Year Cup was always going to be the next race even if it has been shortened from 1900m to 1200m.
“But it’s okay as he is a Polytrack specialist. My only concern is if the pace is too fast for him, but the good barrier draw (four) will help.”
Tan said the three-week break in December has also done Maximus a world of good.
“Everything has worked out well for him. He had a good break,” he said.
“He has maintained his condition and I hope he can win a second Group race on New Year’s Day.”
Maximus will again be ridden by regular partner, just-crowned Singapore champion apprentice jockey Troy See – who will ride as a senior jockey for the first time on Tuesday.
Tan is actually saddling a potent three-pronged attack in the New Year Cup, even if the third runner Special King (Nooresh Juglall) is only an Emergency Acceptor.
The second-stringer is Super Fortune, but Tan said he would not be surprised if the Mossman five-year-old upstages his more fancied stablemate.
“Super Fortune has won all his five races on turf, but he showed at his last run that he can handle Polytrack quite well,” said Tan in reference to his eye-catching third to Rafaello – also a New Year Cup rival - in a Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on December 9 as well.
“The Polytrack should not pose any problem to him. In fact, it’s a good race for all three horses, including Special King if he gets a run – they all have an equal chance.”
Super Fortune will have only 51kgs on his back and will be ridden by veteran jockey Azhar Ismail.
