Monday, 20 January 2020: Champion trainer Lee Freedman predicted a staying future for Circuit Star following his solid maiden win in the Restricted Maiden Division 2 race over 1400m on Saturday.

CIRCUIT STAR winning the RESTRICTED MAIDEN

Other than a fast-finishing fourth place at his second start, the Showcasing three-year-old's form has been rather lacklustre, but his emphatic 3 ¼-length win after a hold-up run just behind the leaders underlined some potential.

Eunos Ave Three, who ran third, was eventually promoted to second place following a successful protest from jockey Daniel Moor against Joseph See for alleged interference at the 200m when his mount Speed Racer abruptly rolled off the fence.

"This horse will make a nice stayer. He showed us a bit last time in," said Freedman of his third 2020 winner.

"He's a big racehorse and will improve with more racing."

Sent out at $24, Circuit Star   enjoyed a comfortable run in midfield, gobbling up stacks of ground on his way to an easy win, clocking 1min 23.66secs for the 1400m on the Short Course. It was at the same time Brazilian jockey Ruan Maia's second win at only his third ride at Kranji.

The two-time Macau champion jockey got off to a flier at his new 12-month tenure aboard his only booking on Friday - and first ride as a long-term licensed jockey - Ironside.

"Things have started off very well for me. Let's hope it continues," said Maia.

"I actually told Lee I thought this horse would maybe need four to five runs before he shows any quality, but he did it very well today.

"He is a lovely horse, very quiet and he also gives me the impression he needs longer."

Circuit Star carries the same emerald and gold colours of Maia's first winner at his very first ride in Singapore in 2018, Circuit Land, and which came in a Group 2 race for good measure, the Chairman's Trophy. Both horses are raced by Hong Kong owner Ngo Tai Tak.

Circuit Land was also under Freedman's polish at his Chairman's Trophy win – which was by the same token the Australian Hall of Fame trainer's first 'black type' win since he came to Singapore in 2017 – but is now in Malaysia with Penang-based trainer Sharee Hamilton after a short passage through Cliff Brown after leaving Freedman's yard in August last year.

Circuit Star boasts a less stellar record for sure but one win in four starts and prizemoney of around $45,000 make for an encouraging start to his budding Kranji career, especially as he cost NZ50,000 as a yearling.