Singapore star War Affair (NZ) made his first appearance as three-year-old on Sunday night with a stylish victory in the Premier Racing Partnership Stakes (1200m) at Kranji.

The three-year-old son of O’Reilly went into the race as the favourite following an outstanding two-year-old campaign that saw him capture two black-type races as well as Singapore’s Golden Horseshoe Series.

Trained by New Zealander Mark Walker, War Affair shadowed pacemaker Rappor (Zizou) under Joao Moreira before collaring the leader in the straight.  Asserting his dominance in the final furlong, he drew away from Rappor with fellow Karaka graduate Desert Fox (Not a Single Doubt) running into third spot.

The race was the first leg of the More Magic 3YO Championship and Walker indicated his Kiwi bred galloper will compete in the final two races of the series.  “He had a bit of a freshen-up and was always going to be vulnerable,” he said.  “But he was back to his best and really proved himself.”

Raced by the Warplan Racing Stable, War Affair has now racked up four wins from five starts and has earned S$331,582 in prizemoney.

The son of O’Reilly is out of the American mare Kristique (Kris S), a daughter of Group 1 winner Nastique (Naskra).  Bred and sold by Trelawney Stud, he was purchased by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $70,000 at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale.

Kiwi-bred and/or sold runners won 7 of the 12 races on Sunday – Mal’s Dad, Listen, Hard Stuff, War Affair, Vantage, Beauty Supreme and Aratiatia.