Promising four-year-old Titanium displayed a sharp return to form on Friday night, confirming his early promise in the seventh event.
A notable fifth in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas, Titanium has always displayed above average ability, though he had struggled to justify his short quote at his two previous starts.
On the surface he was clearly disappointing, however in hindsight there is obviously no knock on the above form.
Stepitup has since gone on to win the Group 1 Kranji Mile by four lengths and Perfect P has cemented himself as a serious Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup chance down in the weights.Unseen for 61 days, trainer Michael Freedman elected to drop Titanium back in trip — a masterful decision.
Clearly relishing the strong early tempo set by Ocean General, Titanium powered to the line to post a dominant two length success.Marked just shy of his career peak achieved in the Guineas, the clock also backed up the strength of the performance.
His first victory since June, Titanium will now be set for the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy [1400m] in November.
While held under the handicap conditions Titanium will clearly have to raise the bar again, though he appears capable.The EW Barker Trophy has been a happy hunting ground for Freedman in recent times, collecting victories with Super Easy (2011) and Any Humour (2010).
Initially Titanium gave the impression he would be better over further, however recent form suggests he is at his best between 1400m - 1600m.In what will be one of his toughest tests to date, he creates plenty of interest moving forward.
Winning ManA dominant winner of the eighth event, the son of Patapan was simply too sharp when leading throughout from the wide stall.
Ridden by the much in-form Rizuan Shafiq, Winning Man was unable to cross, though once taking over shortly after straightening, he had the race all sewn up.Booting well clear inside the 300m, Winning Man went on to score by four lengths and posted very slick time in the process.
Comparatively he recorded easily the fastest time of the night and was marked over 3L superior to his rivals.Winning Man improved eight pounds on his debut win and looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement.
Expected to be taken through his grades he is a horse that can be followed with confidence as he looks to continue his upwards rating spiral.On Sunday evening the Laurie Laxon trained Lake Huka gave another push for the Nova Strike form, when dominant in the final event.
An impressive maiden winner at his second start, Lake Huka went on to finish fourth behind Nova Strike - a key form race.On that occasion only 1.5L separated the first four across the line with over six lengths back to fifth.
They returned decent figures and Lake Huka has since spring boarded off that mark to win on Sunday.When assessing Timeform ratings, Lake Huka improved two pounds and remains open to further improvement moving forward.
Ridden patiently by Michael Rodd, Lake Huka always travelled strongly and when pulled to the outside, he lengthened nicely in the straight.Still quite a raw/green product, he should take good improvement from that race experience under and gives the impression he will be better over further.
If placed in suitable company at his next outing, he is expected to improve between three and five pounds, thus making him hard to beat.