Augustus Rules at Kranji

Bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis with the 2019 $1.15m Group One Emirates Singapore Derby (1800m) in mind, Augustus (4 g Snitzel - Gussy Godiva, by Last Tycoon) produced a courageous fresh-up win on Friday night at Kranji racecourse in Singapore.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Nik Bakar, claiming to 56kgs, Augustus raced wide in midfield but kept finding in centre track and looked good through the line in the $50,000 Class 4 1200 metres on the poly track. 

“It had rained and the 1200 metres when it's wet races more like a 1400m, so it suited him,” said trainer Mark Walker.

Out of 2009 NZ Broodmare of the Year Gussy Godiva, dam of stallions Rios (Hussonet) and Roman Emperor (Montjeu), and eight individual winners of 22 races, Augustus has fully acclimatized and now in winning form. 

“Dave (Ellis) bought the horse at the Inglis Digital Sale, and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) syndicated him quickly, and he finished fourth in the Queensland Derby at his first start for us and then he came up here,” Walker said.

“He'd never raced left-handed before and got a bit lost when we gave him a couple of starts in January, but he's coming up nicely now. It was meritorious to win over 1200 metres, because he's more of a staying horse that's won over 1600m and 1900m and stuck well for fourth on a heavy track over 2200m in the Derby. 

“Although our Derby is back to 1800 metres, it should suit him. The lead-up races could be too short, but once he gets to the Derby distance he'll be competitive.”

David Ellis said: “It's great to see the horse in the winner's circle, especially over 1200 metres and heading towards the Singapore Derby in July. I remember when we bought him, he was sold within hours. Karyn had so many emails and calls from new and existing owners that wanted to be involved. It was a great initiative, one we will continue to use and the interest was just overwhelming.

“Chris Waller was training him when we bought him and he told me he was right on target for the Queensland Derby and he raced very well on pretty testing ground.”

Two wins on the programme, by Augustus and Sacred Rebel (Sepoy), provided Walker with his 26^thand 27^thwins for the season and buffer of four at the top of the premiership. 

“Jamie (Richards) has had 91 wins this season and lies a close second on the premiership in New Zealand and Mark (Walker) leads the premiership in Singapore, so that's a wonderful result for the owners that have invested with Te Akau because they can see that we are doing the job and that we're performing on race day,” Ellis said.

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