After spending two spells on the sidelines, MAXIMUS hit a bright patch at the tail-end of last year to win five times in seven starts. That earned the American gelding a crack at the Group 2 Merlion Trophy and the Group 1 Kranji Mile but he was unplaced on both occasions. His connections even sent him to Korea for the Keeneland Korea Cup but MAXIMUS were also unplaced there.
However, MAXIMUS has now won both his two starts on his return, including the Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes at Kranji here today. Ridden by Troy See, MAXIMUS managed to get the better of the favourite CIRCUIT LAND by half a length in the end-of-season feature. For See, it was icing on the cake for the apprentice who landed his title this season.
Lee Freedman, trainer of CIRCUIT LAND, bounced back in the final race of the 2018 season to saddle PETITE VOIX to victory, sealing his first championship in his first full season in Singapore with 67 winners. Vlad Duric defended his jockey’s title with 73 wins, riding a winner (MON ENERGY) on the final day as well.
