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Te Akau trained, New Zealand Group One winner Warhorse (General Nediym) came out for his first Kranji barrier trial this week, but was obviously still some way off his Singapore debut despite crossing the line first, writes Michael Lee.

Ridden by jockey Joao Moreira and now prepared from Te Akau's Singapore stable by leading trainer Mark Walker, the four-year-old, who wore blinkers, went at a jogging pace in the small field of four runners before working home nicely to hold off stablemate Brahms And Liszt (Coats Choice) by a neck, two lengths clear of the third horse, Two M And M (Pure Prize).

Though Warhorse appeared to be in good shape, it was clear Walker was loath to hard-push him at such an early stage of his preparation at his new home, especially when his glowing credentials speak volumes about his ability. He was afterall crowned New Zealand's Champion 2YO of the Year in 2012.

From 13 starts with the first ten run in New Zealand before he was campaigned at the Sydney's autumn carnival a few months ago, Warhorse boasts a handy record of three wins, all at stakes level.

He first landed the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) as a two-year-old for Walker's successor at Te Akau Racing, Jason Bridgman, followed by a close third to Ockham's Razor (Any Suggestion) in the Karaka Million (RL, 1200m) before bouncing straight back to Group One success in the Diamond Stakes (1200m). He then added the Bonecrusher Stakes (Listed, 1400m) to his resume before Singapore owner Tang Weng Fei of Better Than Ever (French Deputy) fame decided to send him to Sydney for a stab at the riches across the Tasman Sea.

In three runs, Warhorse, who was then renamed Tougher Than Ever, given there was another thoroughbred by the name of War Horse, did not win for Chris Waller, but ran second in the Apollo Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Warwick Farm last February.

Walker said that first barrier trial was only a first step towards his road back to full race-fitness.

“He's only been with us for two and a half months and he's still at an acclimatising stage. He's still looking tucked up after he had a few hard runs back in Australia,” said Walker.

“I'll be monitoring how he pulls up from today's trial and I should be able to know which way to go at the end of the week.”

Walker said he had not mapped out any ambitious plans for the newcomer, but would be keen to see him compete at the highest level at Kranji one day, even if the Sydney stint fell short of desired results.

“He was probably a touch below Sydney class. He's quite a good horse on wet tracks, but bombed out on the hard tracks in Sydney,” he said.

“Anyway, I think it was always the owner's plan for him to come up here. He's still got a long way to go before he gets his first race, and we'll just have to see how he copes. He's done nothing wrong up to now and I was pretty happy with his barrier trial today. I told Joao to just give him an easy time out there.  I don't have anything planned for him at this stage, just let him go through his grades. As he's got older, I think he's more of a 1200m-1400m sprinter, but he should be able to go up to a mile.”

Moreira concurred with Walker's appraisal that Warhorse is not quite down to the short strokes yet, but he could feel he already oozed class at his first leg-up.

“Even though he's not at his top, he went really well in his barrier trial today. I could tell straightaway he's class material,” said the three-time Singapore champion jockey.

“He did it ever so easily all the way to the line. I didn't have to call upon him for him to go through his gears.  I think his connections will have to be patient with him, though, and give him plenty of time to reach his best. Soon, he will be successful here and I hope I will be associated with him right from the start.”

Warhorse was sold for NZ$100,000 at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale to David Ellis when offered by Trelawney Stud. Warhorse is a half brother to the stakes performer Epona Princess (Fastnet Rock) and their unraced dam, Rathlin Island (Giant's Causeway), is a half sister to the dual Group Two winning sire California Dane (Danehill).