Pencarrow Stud-bred Big Maverick (O'Reilly x Ajfan) has enhanced his fine record by winning the first leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge at Kranji Racetrack on Friday night.

Big Maverick, trained by expatriate Kiwi Laurie Laxon, posted his fourth win to go with two seconds and a third in his nine-start career.

Big Maverick was well back in the running until the home turn and was able to turn on a spectacular sprint in the run home to beat the newcomer Dream Lad who had won three of his five starts in Argentina.


Big Maverick was bought as a yearling from the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Premier Sale by Laxon for $87,500 and is raced by Champagne Stables.

Ajfan's yearling colt by Tiger Hill was purchased at this year's Karaka Sale by Hong Kong's Magnus Equine for NZ$135,000.

The second leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge (1400m) will take place on 27 June. Already a three-time winner over 1400m, including in the Listed Stewards' Cup in December, Big Maverick will be a big hope heading into next contest.