NEXT UP

Often restricted by his status as a heavyweight jockey, the Australian veteran was particularly rapt when trainer Lee Freedman picked him to be Mr Malek's partner through his 2020 Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge campaign, which kicks off with the first Sprint Leg over 6 f on June and climaxing with the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on July 26.

In two starts last year, the son of Swiss Ace gave an early sample of what he can do with one win and one third (on debut) at Restricted Maiden level, ridden by Patrick Moloney and Joseph Azzopardi respectively.

Powell had however, hold his horses when Mr Malek's season got underway in a Novice race over 6 f on January He was handicapped at 54.5kgs – a weight he cannot make.

Three-time Singapore champion jockey Vlad Duric got the gig and duly obliged. It was a copybook ride – stalk up the speed and sprint home easing down.

Part of the Kranji furniture since 2004, Powell's been in that situation many times. On paper, he still had the job on the Oscar Racing Stable-owned galloper, even if a hint of doubt does creep in when a substitute gets the job done.

Jockeys are freelance in Singapore. There is no contract, it's all based on unspoken trust, but in real life, loyalty lines have sometimes been tested and crossed.

When the handicaps came out on Monday, Mr Malek was handed 57kgs in the $50,000 Spalato 2014 Stakes, a Class 4 Division 2 race over 6 f. Freedman didn't renege on his promise.

"I've been working Mr Malek this year. You can tell right away he is a quality horse, CK will have a lot of fun with him," said Powell, who has combined with Oscar's Phua Chian Kin (CK) for many wins over the years, the highlight being no doubt the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby with Clint in 2011.

"I couldn't ride him at his first race this year as he had a low weight, and Vlad got on and won. Lee told me I would ride him when he gets a weight I can make, and that day is this Saturday.

"He's a big strong horse. He can carry weights, no worries. I galloped him yesterday morning and he felt really good.

"He's still in Class 4 and I expect him to run a bold race."

Drawn in barrier No 6, Mr Malek is expected to start at prohibitive odds in a field where the resuming David Kok-trained Count Me also a three-year-old prospect, is seen as the only one who can issue some semblance of a threat.