NEXT UP

While the dapper Englishman only has a relatively small team to work with, he sits eighth on the 2022 trainers' premiership with 25 winners and more importantly, second only to leading trainer Tim Fitzsimmons (16.62%) on the strike rate of 14.71%.

What made that strike rate more remarkable was the fact that Peters' had to endure a worrying lean spell in the last few months, with only two winners from his last 49 runners.

A bread and butter six-year-old in Fountain Of Fame broke the 97-day drought when he won in Class 5 company on October 10 but it was the smart – and recently transferred - Star Victory who knocked in his most recent win and looks the future of the stable.

The PSM Racing Stable-owned four-year-old broke his maiden status at his second start in an Open Maiden race over 6 f last Saturday and would be a horse to follow next year.

Meanwhile, the same connections will be hoping that another four-year-old of theirs, Star Legend, can live up to his name and make it two maiden wins in as many weeks for the stable when he lines up in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 5 1⁄2 f this Sunday.

His trial form – he won trial 1 on November 3 in the good time of 1 min 0.7 secs - suggests he could start as one of the more fancied runners and Peters thinks he is a horse to watch.

"He (Star Legend) has plenty of ability," said Peters on Thursday.

"You could see that from his trial last week, but he's not 100% wound up for this race, so whatever we see on Sunday, he will improve from that run.

"Being a four-year-old maiden, this is the last race suitable for him this season so we had to rush his preparation a bit. He's only been in the stable six weeks or so but he should go well on what he has shown us."

The race looks top heavy with only three or four serious chances on trial and exposed race form and Peters thinks the Stephen Gray-trained Tributo and the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Foxship are the two to beat.

"Stephen's horse has the local form on the board and his run behind Kinabalu Prince (finished second on October 22 over 6 f in an Open Maiden race) was very good," explained the London-born handler.

"And Tim's horse has trialled very well. He looks a nice type and has maiden form from Australia (placed two from four starts), so he is one to watch.

"But our boy will keep them honest."

Jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin – who rode Star Victory last week when he broke his maiden status – will ride Star Legend on Sunday. The Frenchman is an integral part of the PSM Racing Stable team.

"Louis has a good relationship with the owners," continued Peters.

"That is very helpful given that I haven't had the (PSM Racing Stable) horses for very long. Louis' input from trackwork and trials has been invaluable and one of the reasons that we have been able to get this horse (Star Legend) to the races so soon.

"It was nice to have that early winner (Star Victory) for them and they look to have a good type going forward with Star Legend."

Maidens aside, Peters was also very happy with his Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) runner - Circuit Mission – after his terrific run in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on October 15.

The son of High Chaparral finished fourth - beaten one-and-a-half lengths behind Prosperous Return - and while getting a one-kilo penalty (one kgs for every four rating points in the handicap conditions for Gold Cup) for the effort, it sets him up nicely for a big run in the $1 million feature race.

"Very good.  He exceeded my expectations," said Peters of the QEII Cup run.

"Yes, he got a few (rating) points – not ideal heading towards a handicap race – but we will take that run.

"Everything has gone smoothly since. Louis will ride him and we will give him a trial today (Thursday) and we are really looking forward to next week."

Of his recent lean spell, Peters' was not overly concerned given the nature of racing in Singapore.

"We have a small team and when horses get out of their right grade, you just have to wait until they find the right races," he said.

"I wasn't worried as the horses in the stable were still in form – you just have to look at Circuit Mission and Grand Koonta - but there is always a cycle for the lower classes.

"So when a stable our size has a good run of results, you will likely have a slow month or two.

"The wheel looks to have turned, which is good news heading into the new season."