While his $8 favourite Makin ran out of the winning picture late in the $85,000 Class 2 race (1600m) on Saturday, it was trainer Steven Burridge’s second elect, Cavalry, who did his best in the shadows of the post to win.

That win also meant the five-year-old son of Tavistock was back in form, which would see him not only have a crack at the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on 18 May, but also be one of the sneaky hopes in the $1 million feature race in two weeks' time.

The race went to script early with Mr Black Back (Luis Corrales) leading at a good clip while January (Simon Kok) kept him company on the outside.

Yet all eyes were on the punter's choice, Makin (Manoel Nunes) who crossed relatively easily from the widest gate no. 11 to stalk the leading pair, albeit some four lengths adrift on settling.

Meanwhile, jockey Ruan Maia was happy to bide his time on Cavalry ($23) in midfield with cover behind Istataba (Bruno Queiroz) as he got all the favours on his stablemate.

Upon turning for home and with the leaders coming back quickly to the chasing pack, Makin made the move and hit the front at the 400m, with Raising Sixty-One (Carlos Henrique) on his flank and although Cavalry was wider still, he was closing in at the 300m.

However, the favourite's backers had little time to cheer after Makin was challenged and was a beaten commodity at the furlong post, leaving Raising Sixty-One and Cavalry to fight out the finish.

It was Cavalry who had the last crack in a race run to suit and eventually won by a neck over a gamed Raising Sixty-One, while Makin battled on to finish in third another one-and-three-quarter lengths away.

The winning time was a slick 1 min 33.95secs for the 1600m on yielding ground on the Long Course. Cavalry's second win in Singapore took his prizemoney to over $160,000 for the King Power Stable.

Burridge was happy with the win and praised both Cavalry and Makin, but also pointed out that the latter was a victim of circumstance.

"They both ran really well," said the Australian conditioner.

"I can't be disappointed with Makin. It was not the jockey's (Nunes) fault but he was a sitting duck when the leaders stopped so quickly.

"Although Makin did the work to lead up the rest of the field, the race suited Cavalry who had a last crack at them, so I can't complain.

"I thought he would run well first-up and he did, but just got tired late, so he was fitter for this run and I was very happy with his recent trial (finished second to Makin in trial no 3 on 25 April).

"So we knew he would run well today, but the other horse (Makin) had race fitness on his side. It was the tempo and the race circumstance that got the result today. It was also a very good ride by Ruan."

Burridge confirmed that the Kranji Mile would be Cavalry's next outing.

"That was the plan and he goes straight to the (Kranji) Mile," he continued.

"We will take it quietly. He's fitter now and will need to be against the champ (Lim's Kosciuszko).

"Ruan has been booked and he (Cavalry) looks like he pulled up good, so fingers crossed he will be there fit and well in two weeks time.

"I'm not sure about the other one (Makin) for the Kranji Mile. I will chat to the owners (Al-Arabiya Stable) and Manoel, but it would be nice to see him fresh for the 1400m race."

Burridge was referring to the Group 3 Silver Bowl, one of three feature races opened only to four-year-olds, on 9 June.

Maia, who rode a double after the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Tommy Gun ($33) also took out the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1200m) seven races earlier (see earlier report), thought Cavalry still has plenty of improvement left in him.

"This horse (Cavalry) hasn't raced much lately, so to win today was very good," said the Brazilian hoop.

"Steven did such a good job to have him in such good condition for this race and he (Cavalry) can only improve.

"He ran second in the (Group 1 Singapore) Derby (1800m) last year so he will be better over more ground with more races under his belt.

"He has a big action, so we got a beautiful run following the pace today and he was strong in the last 50m.

"I'm on him (Cavalry) in the Kranji Mile and I hope I can get a similar run like today."