Clutha Lad Keeps on Giving

Last Sunday, Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker recorded a winning treble of winners - and he repeated that feat this past Friday night with Lim's Signature, Viviano and the older horse Clutha Lad - a true campaigner ... all saluting the judge ...

Clutha Lad (7 g Thorn Park - Maggies Farm, by Forest Wildcat) has been a terrific money-spinner for all concerned, racking up his seventh win and $355,000 in prize money after booming home on Friday night at the Kranji racecourse in Singapore.

A good-looking, strong, type from the outset, Clutha Lad was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $36,000 at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, from the draft of Blandford Lodge, and since given owners B. W. & Mrs. K. C. Dunnet, M. Jamieson, Mrs. M. Maulder, T. Stewart, D. W. & Mrs L. E. Watts a great ride.

“He's a marvel, a champ, and just keep delivering,” said co-owner Matt Jamieson.

“He's come back into good form in his last seven or eight starts, now he's found Class 5 again. He's like a superstar in that grade and he certainly gives us all a bit of excitement on a Friday and Sunday night.

“We get good updates and Mark (Walker) gives us a video guide as to how he's going to perform, and how he been training. Mark does a really good job managing him and keeping him sound, and if he rates him a top four chance in a race he's usually right.

“It still looks as though there is more in the tank. He has won in Class 3, but the win last night was visually the most impressive he's ever had. He showed a real turn of foot.

“He's given us a few thrills over the years. Joao Moreira rode him to win once and not many can say that they've had him onboard.”

Ridden by an inform Shafiq Rusof, Clutha Lad drew barrier three in the $35,000 Class 5 1600 metres on the poly track. Seventh in running, behind a tearaway pacemaker that ensured a genuine tempo, and hemmed up at the 600m, he pushed clear wide into the straight and stretched out impressively to give his rivals a sound beating by 1 ½ lengths.

Clutha Lad returned $3.60 & $2.70 on the NZ TAB, running the mile in 1:39.9.

Prior to joining the Te Akau stables in Singapore, Clutha Lad was educated, trialled, and had one race from the stables in Matamata.

At the time, in 2012, Te Akau had the services of former champion jockey Shane Dye [originally from Matamata].

Dye was particularly taken with the ability of Clutha Lad as a young horse, riding him in work, trials, and on debut when fourth over 1400 metres at Hastings.

Recalling the race, Jamieson said: “Shane certainly gave him a spruik and he ended up being beaten in that race by Survived. And there wouldn't be too many like him and Survived that are still be going around”.

Survived (Zed), won four of next five starts including the Hawkes Bay Cup, then ran second in the Rough Habit at Eagle Farm, and was a Group One winner of the Makfi Challenge Stakes.
Famous for riding four consecutive Golden Slipper Stakes winners, 1989 - 92, aboard Courtza (Pompeii Court), Canny Lad (Bletchingly), Tierce (Victory Prince), and Burst (Marauding), Dye was also the first jockey to surpass 100 wins, producing $7m in prize money, in a season in Sydney. He won the 1989 Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) on Tawriffic (Tawfiq), and continued on riding for eight years in Hong Kong.

Nicknamed ‘Billy Idol' by his fellow jockeys, Raymond Shane Dye included four Derby's and nine Oaks' among his 93 group one wins.