Singapore Racing - Weekend Review - 1st and 4th of January

The first two meetings of the new season saw a number of strong performances, none more so then the debut victory of the Michael Freedman trained Olympic Anthem.

Formerly based in Australia, the son of Starcraft came over to Singapore with some handy form in the book, having only been narrowly beaten in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas.

Olympic Anthem

A narrow victor at Ipswich in his final start for the Robert Heathcote stable, Olympic Anthem recorded three wins and two minor placings from 10 starts in Queensland.

Unseen since June last year, the now four-year-old was given two trials prior to making his debut on Sunday.

Lining up in the seventh event, Olympic Anthem was ridden patiently by Craig Newitt — settling towards the rear of the field.

Over seven lengths off the lead on straightening, Newitt didn't panic, peeling Olympic Anthem to the extreme outside.

Working home strongly down the centre, he showed a great turn of foot, picking off his rivals, before running down leader Exceed Express inside the 100m.

Drawing away to score by a length, Olympic Anthem's performance was very encouraging, as he will improve further over 1400m - 1600m.

Recording a Timeform rating seven pounds below his best, emphasises the amount of improvement Olympic Anthem also has up his sleeve.

As he is only lightly raced, Olympic Anthem can go on to surpass this level in the future.

The overall time also pushed the strength of his performance, as he was marked just over two lengths slower than talented sprinter Huka Falls.

Olympic Anthem is likely to remain in Kranji Stakes C company for his next outing, and while rising six handicap rating points, he appears capable of taking that next step and should prove very hard to beat.

Stirling

The Laurie Laxon trained Stirling was also an impressive victor on Sunday, when notching up his second victory in the tenth event.

Having created a big impression on debut, the son of Chinese Dragon was quite plain at his second start, before returning to form on the weekend.

Jumping away well, new rider Manoel Nunes settled Stirling just off the speed in fourth.

Revved up rounding the turn for home, Stirling took a while to wind up, before digging in deep over the concluding stages, hitting the front passing the 100m.

Saluting by a length, the four-year-old recorded a Timeform rating just shy of his debut winning figure.

In what was his third start over 1200m, Stirling is now expected to be tried over further, a key change, which should bring about further improvement.

To this point he has given all the right indications and is another galloper who should be followed closely at his next outing.

In Fact & Quechua

Leading trainer Patrick Shaw stole the show on Thursday, when collecting the quinella in the Group 3 New Year Cup.

Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup winner, Quechua took out the event, however it was the performance of his stablemate In Fact, which created plenty of interest.

Thrown in the deep end by Shaw following his fourth placing behind Blue Lion, In Fact displayed sharp improvement when only narrowly beaten.

Improving over 10 pounds on his previous effort, the son of Lode has displayed good ability in his seven starts in Singapore and is clearly heading in the right direction.

Expected to be dropped back to lesser company at his next start, In Fact should prove hard to beat if able to repeat that level of performance.

Stablemate Quechua continued his winning run (four straight) and improved marginally on his Gold Cup performance.

Earmarked as a leading Singapore Derby contender, the son of Pure Prize will have to keep improving, if he is to deny superstar galloper War Affair.

When they met in the Gold Cup, War Affair easily defeated Quechua at the weights, though the latter is tipped to keep progressing.

A proven competitor, Quechua is one to stick with as he continues to make the rise through the grades.