Te Akau Singapore Friday Preview

The 2015 Champion Singapore Trainer and Trainers' Premiership winner, the Akau's Mark Walker (who finished third on the 2016 Trainers' Premiership) has trained 77 winners - and continues to dominate the Trainers' Premiership, leading by 24 wins.


Friday 20 October

11.50 p.m. R1 6 SHE'S THE ONE - Vlad Duric; this Murtajill mare kicks off the night for trainer Mark Walker in the Class 5 1600m on the polytrack. Drawing six in a field of 10, the grey 4YO is weighted with 55kgs and, having posted three runner up placings from her last five starts, is enjoying solid form - top four chance.

12.20 a.m. (Saturday) R2 8 VENUS DE MILO - Shafiq Rizuan; resuming in this Restricted Maiden 2&3YO WFA 1000m on the polytrack, this Fortuna runner will bounce from gate two in the field of just nine starters. A 3YO daughter of on-fire sire Burgundy, she is weighted with 55.5kgs and has recorded two placings since her Singapore arrival. Not the largest of fillies - place chance.

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R3 3 NORTHERN KNIGHT - App R Zawari (a2); this 6YO for Raffles Racing will jump from the inside draw in the 10-strong assembly for the Class 4 1800m on the polytrack where he carries 56kgs thanks to the 2kg apprentice claim. Following a handy second two back, he had no luck last start however he is an unpredictable individual who heads to Malaysia shortly for his future racing - place chance.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R4 2 SUPER GENIUS - Vlad Duric; three stable reps. in this Open Benchmark 52 1000m on the polytrack. The first is a very consistent 4YO daughter of Alamosa who draws well enough (6) and is assigned 57kgs. A last start winner, she has come back in good form and rates a top four chance.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R4 4 HAYTHAM - App N Hanafi (a4); ridden by the stable apprentice who served part of his time in New Zealand with Te Akau, this 4YO Saperavi gelding is the second runner for Mark Walker. With the apprentice allowance he will carry only 52.5kgs but has unfortunately copped a wide draw, one from the outside (11). He has been disappointing since his wind operation.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R4 10 MISS WAIMATAITAI - App CK Ng (a3); the last of the Walker trio is this unpredictable mare, also by Saperavi. She too will enjoy weight relief dropping to only 50kgs and will bounce from gate five (if she is in the mood!). She has delivered a cheque from four of her last five appearances and when she puts it all together she can deliver. This will be a touch short for her - place chance.

2.20 a.m. (Saturday) R6 5 DISTINCTIVE DARCI - Shafiq Rizuan; the stable is looking forward to seeing this very talented son of Darci Brahma back on race night. Lining up in the Kranji Stakes A over 1000m on the polytrack, he draws six of 10 and has 54kgs on his back. Chasing the thick end of the S$125,000 purse, he is in good form - top four chance.

2.50 a.m. (Saturday) R7 11 UNSURPASSED - App CK Ng (a3); another recent winner, this 5YO contests the Class 3 1100m on the polytrack where he unfortunately draws the car park (12 of 12) but with the claim will only carry 49.5kgs. A son of Exceed and Excel, he was a winner three starts ago and was runner up last time presented - with the terrible gate to overcome, he rates a place chance.

3.20 a.m. (Saturday) R8 2 ELITE GENERAL - Shafiq Rizuan; plum draw (1) for this 5YO in the Class 4 1000m on the polytrack where Mark Walker has two entries. This gelding carries 57kgs for the S$60,000 event, facing 11 combatants but does need to improve to be competitive.

3.20 a.m. (Saturday) R8 13 BRINGER OF WAR - Ismail Azhar; a very promising Burgundy filly with a great form line (2-3-1-3-3) since arriving in Singapore, where she is already stakes' placed. Unfortunately she is first emergency so will need a scratching to make the field - if she does, she then has to cope with the widest draw (12) but only has 52.5kgs to carry. She presents as a top four chance, if she can come off the ballot.