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The Steven Burridge trained Mr Malek was the stand-out performance at Singapore over the weekend when far too good in the eighth event.

Lining up at just his second start for the new stable, Mr Malek followed up on his eye catching run first up when winning easily in the Class 2 event.

Formerly trained by Lee Freedman Mr Malek won six of his 10 starts with two of his defeats coming at the hands of star galloper Inferno.

Rated 105 by Timeform when finishing second behind Inferno in the Group 1 2020 Lion City Cup he confirmed himself as one of the best in the land.

Failing to produce at his final start for Freedman Mr Malek was spelled before joining Burridge's team.

Rated 98 in his return behind Kharisma he improved to run a Timeform rating of 99 on Saturday.

Ridden by Harry Kasim Mr Malek enjoyed a lovely run just off the speed and while trapped in the coffin (leader's back) for 100m he shouldered his way clear approaching the 300m.

Cut loose shortly after he displayed a good turn of speed to quickly pick up the leaders and put the race away.

Drawing clear to score by two-and-a-half lengths it was Mr Malek's second best performance to date and surprisingly his first victory at 1400m.

Already a Class 1 winner over a mile he is very versatile and is expected to improve further throughout this preparation.

Mr Malek already boosts five wins over 1200m but should be even better getting beyond a mile with the Group 1 Singapore Derby [1800m] well in his sights.

Burridge has already pencilled the Group 3 Silver Bowl [1400m], the Group 2 Stewards' Cup [1600m] on July 3 and the Group 1 Singapore Derby on July 25 as his logical progression.

"The 1200m was too sharp for him at his last start and today the 1400m was better," Burridge said.

"The 1600m will be even better and all going well he should get the 1800m of the Derby, things are going the right way for him."

The average winning Timeform rating for the Singapore Derby in the last five years has been 107 with Top Knight rated 107 last year.

Mr Malek hence is already right on the cusp to take out the feature event and at this point remains the horse to beat.