Another Mark Walker Winner

Ben Gunn had earned the grand total of US$672 in six starts in Ireland, but in just one hit at Kranji, picked up more than $25,000 in prizemoney on Fortune Bowl day on Saturday.

And for those rare brave who took a chance on his $167 dividend, a handsome windfall was also at their receiving end on a day synonymous with an abundance of money.  The Irish-bred four-year-old by Tagula certainly did not set any heart racing when trained by County Kildare handler Ken Condon - six duck's eggs in as many starts.

Newcomer Ben Gunn (Craig Grylls) goes all-the-way to win on debut in Singapore.

Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker was not exactly rubbing his hands in anticipation when he laid eyes on such a record. The only glimmer of hope was his marginally better barrier trial with a set of blinkers on February 13.

The Kiwi mentor was in for a major surprise.

Ridden by fellow Kiwi Craig Grylls, Ben Gunn showed early toe from his wide alley to land in front in the 10-horse field of the $45,000 Smiles Of Fortune Stakes, a Class 4 Non Premier race over 1200m.

With $15 favourite Sahaba (Vlad Duric) not far behind in his slipstream, most thought Ben Gunn's bit part at the head of affairs would be over quicker than you would have the time to say “Huat Ah!” (popular Chinese wish for prosperity on Chinese New Year).  As Sahaba started to close in, favourite backers could almost smell the whiff of newly-minted dollar notes in red packets, but Ben Gunn was suddenly in a winning mood he had never demonstrated in the Emerald Isles.

The moment Grylls gave him a few digs in the ribs, Ben Gunn started to lengthen up again, almost taking Duric and Sahaba by surprise with that unexpected turn of events.

The Singapore champion jockey did not give up as he pulled the stick on the Al-Arabiya Stable-owned galloper who did respond with a gallant effort but Ben Gunn was home and hosed, scoring by three parts of a length from Sahaba with Typhon (Mark Ewe) third another three parts of a length away.

The winning time was 1min 10.56secs for the 1200m on the Long Course.

“I'm quite surprised with that win. Reading his form, it was not very good, and he was drawn on the outside as well,” said Walker.

“He came with some feet trouble and the farrier has done a good job fixing it. He has improved out of sight.  He showed nothing at his first trial. I put blinkers on at the second and he trialled better.  I thought being an Irish horse, 1200m would be too sharp for him, but he did well.”

Grylls went into the race with an open mind, not knowing what to expect, but was delighted to come up with a ninth win this campaign.

“At his second trial, he ran second with blinkers, which was a good indication,” said the in-form rider.

“From the wide draw, I thought I'd just settle him where he is happy. He actually jumped on the bridle and came back fair for me.  In the straight, I balanced him up and he just kept going.”