With eight wins scored within the space of his first two months in Singapore at the end of last year, jockey Vagner Leal was fast garnering positive reviews from the typically hard-marking Kranji racegoers, but a sluggish start to the new 2014 campaign has brought a slightly unexpected dampener to that impression.

Champion trainer Laurie Laxon combined with his apprentice Koh Teck Huat to saddle Makkura to a win in the $95,000 Better Than Ever 2010 Stakes Open Benchmark 89 (1000m) on the Polytrack on Friday night.

Trainer Theo Kieser is pinning his hopes on two of his better 2012 performers to finally give his stable that much-needed kickstart to the season this weekend.

Trainer Shane Baertschiger said he would resist the temptation of turning One Smart Cat out for a break following his victory in the $65,000 Novice Stakes over 1100m on the Polytrack on Friday night.