Singapore Racing - Weekend Review - 1st and 2nd of January

The 2017 season kicked off in Singapore last week with a number of stand-out performances.

In a weekend full of highlights, the Desmond Koh trained Guru-Guru took out the Group 3 New Year's Cup [1800m], while the Ricardo Le Grange trained Storm Troops landed the feature on Monday.

Leading trained Shane Baertschiger brought up his first four-timer which coincided with jockey John Powell collecting his 500th winner at Kranji, courtesy of Aramco in the final event on Monday.

Although not a feature event, the Hideyuki Takaoka trained Jupiter Gold stole the show on Sunday with a most impressive victory in the tenth event.

Unseen since October last year, the son of Congrats made his return over 1400m, notably his first attempt beyond 1200m.

Ridden by Alan Munro, Jupiter Gold was ridden patiently from the middle draw, settled towards the rear.

Peeled the widest runner on straightening, Jupiter Gold travelled strongly before unleashed passing the 300m.

Displaying a sharp turn of foot, Jupiter Gold hit the front inside the 200m, racing away to score by two lengths.

While easily his sternest test since his 2YO season, Jupiter Gold passed with flying colours and has clearly made good improvement off a break.

Improving eight pounds on his previous best, Jupiter Gold returned a new career peak, which is a great sign moving forward.

His performance also highlights the depth in the three-year-old ranks, led by the Alvin Tan trained Nova Swiss.

Very rarely a horse will return a new career peak first up, as generally most horses improve with racing.

Third up is usually the sweet spot for most horses so given what Jupiter Gold achieved on Sunday, he is certainly set for a bumper preparation.

Jupiter Gold had always given the impression he would be better over further and he certainly confirmed those claims on Sunday.

The Group 1 Singapore Guineas [1600m] is an expected target and while obviously early days, he is a galloper on an upward spiral and appears more than capable of taking that next step.

Takaoka is a master of training middle distance gallopers and now Jupiter Gold is his next assignment.

Unless thrown in the deep-end at his next outing, Jupiter Gold will be bringing up the hat-trick as it is very hard seeing him take a backwards step.

If not already in your blackbook, Jupiter Gold is a must as he joins an increasing list of promising 3YOs in Singapore.

Another galloper who impressed over the weekend was the David Kok trained Major Advancement.

An impressive debut winner, Major Advancement lived up to his eye-catching barrier trials when making light work of his rivals in the second event on Sunday.

Ridden by Glenn Boss, Major Advancement had to overcome a few obstacles when caught in behind runners on straightening.

Eased to the outside approaching the 200m, Major Advancement let down powerfully to quickly hit the front, drawing away for an easy win.

Marked well above an average maiden winner, Major Advancement also recorded time figures ahead of the bare form and is definitely one to follow.

He gives the impression he will be even better over further and in truth with even luck, he really could have properly spaced his rivals on Sunday.

Unless he bumps into a very smart type at his next outing, he is certainly going to be very hard to beat.