January showed he was in the right order to face up to sterner challenges when he added to his record at Kranji on Saturday evening.
The Westbury Stud-bred and sold son of Swiss Ace produced a determined performance to dead-heat over 1400 metres for his fifth career victory.
Last season’s Listed Singapore 3YO Sprint hero, January will now be set for the G3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on June 9, the G2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) three weeks later and then the G1 Singapore Derby (1800m) on July 21.
Owned by the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable, January was making his third appearance for Daniel Meagher after relocating from Donna Logan’s stable.
“He had issues when we got him. I ran him and he went ordinary for me the first time so we gave him a reset, got him right and made him happy again,” Meagher said.
“The owners said to take our time because he’s a decent horse. I thought he needed blinkers to settle him down and not fire him up because he’s a bit nervous.
“He put blinkers on and wore a set of earmuffs every day and he settled very well at work and trialled very good.”
Bred by Gerry Harvey, January was offered by Westbury at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka where he was knocked down to Logan for $75,000.
He is out of the Belong To Me mare Musically, who was a speedy performer and was successful on three occasions up to 1100 metres.
She is a half-sister to the G2 Yallambee Classic winner Magically with their dam the G2 Chirnside Stakes winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Magic Music.
January’s unraced younger brother named Harold Win was a $255,000 Ready to Run purchase for Hong Kong’s Upper Bloodstock while the dam also has a juvenile colt by Swiss Ace and is back in foal to the son of Secret Savings.