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Easy as 1-2-3 would be a nice and fitting way to describe odds-on favourite’s stroll towards his third successive win on Saturday.
The huge wraps on the Swiss Ace three-year-old were certainly not misguided at any moment during the 1200m journey of the $50,000 Spalato 2014 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race.
There wasn't much his 10 rivals could do when the $7 hotpot was angled to the outside as he went collaring weakening leader Elise (Tengku Rehaizat) at the top of the straight.
Kimitonara (Simon Kok Wei Hoong), who at $43, carried the next shortest quote - illustrating the lopsided market in favour of Lee Freedman's rising star - tried to make a race of it when he launched first, but he could only settle for third place 3 ½ lengths off.
It was Trapio (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) who won the battle for the minors after he steamed home late for second place, a gap of 2 ¼ lengths behind Mr Malek, who clocked 1min 10.08secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
Mr Malek has now taken his budding record to three wins and one third from four outings and stakes in excess of $110,000 for the Oscar Racing Stable of Mr Phua Chian Kin.
"He's a lovely horse to have wherever you are in the world. He's a half-brother to Daniel who was another good horse for CK Phua," said Freedman.
"He did it very easily. It's very encouraging for the 3YO series later, hopefully, he can run the whole series.
"He can certainly run 1400m, but I'm not so sure about the 1600m. Anyway, I'll give him a let-up and regroup now.
"He was a bit of a handful when he first came to us. He would jack up going out to the barriers.
"His first run was okay, but it's when he won his maiden that I thought that this horse might be something special.
"I think in the next year or two, he could be one of the leading sprinters here."
That must have sounded like music to the ears of Powell, who had been entrusted the reins this campaign, never mind if he didn't have to touch them too much on Saturday.
"He drew wide, but he jumped well and I didn't have to do much with him," said the Australian jockey.
"I just had to keep him out of trouble and he was too good in the end. But when he meets Inferno in the 3YO series, he will have to improve.
"He's a nice and strong horse, he travels well, and has the ability to improve to the next level."
The Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge has been moved to a later slot from this year. The first Leg, the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) is run on June 13 with the last Leg, the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) run six weeks later on July 27.
