3 minute read

Odds-on favourite Mr Malek showed that his closing debut third was no flash in the pan after he followed up with a resounding win in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on Sunday.

The Swiss Ace three-year-old had to get back in the field from a wide gate at his first race, but from barrier No 1 second-up, he could be ridden more positive by Patrick Moloney as he kicked up on the rails to lead.

At least momentarily, as he soon received some pressure on his outside when two other newcomers, Supermax (Benny Woodworth) and Superlative (Joseph See), came serving it to him in a line of three, but a cool and composed Moloney knew what he had underneath.

Rounding the home turn, it was still anyone's race, but as Supermax ducked to the fence, Mr Malek  came off his heels, and the rest just turned into a procession.

Oscar Racing Stable's new find let down with a devastating turn of speed to go and score by a widening margin of 4 ¾ lengths from Supermax with Iron Ruler (Daniel Moor) third another three parts of a length away.

Punted down to $9 favouritism, Mr Malek clocked 1min 9.66secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.

Freedman said Mr Malek was a "terror" when he just landed in his yard, but it was currently suspended jockey Joseph Azzopardi – who rode Freedman's recent Singapore Derby winner Sun Marshal – who helped cool his jets.

"He made the grade, we can't do anymore than that," said the Australian trainer.

"Joe Azzopardi has a high opinion of this horse. He did all the work on him, but Patrick Moloney did a good job on him today.

"The horse was a real terror when he first came to us. He would jack up and dropped nearly all his jockeys – only Joe could get him to settle.

"He is a half-brother to Daniel (x Guillotine out of Danasinga mare Tina) who was a Group (two Group 3) winner for Oscar Racing here.

"It's always nice to win a race for CK (Phua Chian Kin of Oscar Racing). He's been a good supporter and his son Oscar always gets a great thrill from racing."

Moloney, who is at his second week into a short one-month stint and opened his account aboard the Donna Logan-trained Diamond Ring last Sunday, said that Mr Malek was one of the better horses he has sat on thus far.

"I was mindful of the horse who was in front. I didn't want to be behind him," said the Victorian jockey.

"I just didn't want him to be out of his comfort zone. He's a pretty nice horse, I was lucky enough to have galloped him the other day.

"He let down very well. He's a real nice horse who will go through his grades.

"Lee was confident he would run well today. When I was an apprentice, Lee put me on a few of his horses.

"I'm lucky enough to make a good fist of it here."

The young rider kept the winning momentum going when two races later in the $50,000 Class 4 race over the mile, he booted $35 shot and standby starter Just Landed home in a driving finish.