Ellis Boost to New Champ Walker

Tan Thean Loon reports in the Singapore Press:

THE ELLIS BOOST FOR NEW CHAMP WALKER

His strong supporter provides the bulk of his 86-winner haul

In winning his first Singapore premiership title, new champion trainer Mark Walker has to thank one man in particular for providing a chunk of his 86-winner haul.

After stretching his lead to 84 winners with Court Case and Viviano last Friday week, the 43-year-old saddled another pair of winners on the final day of the racing season last Sunday week with Lady Iffraaj and Clutha Lad, both bought by his main supporter, prominent New Zealand owner-breeder-farmer David Ellis of Te Akau Racing Stable.

Ellis, 62, owns Court Case and Clutha Lad, who formed about 25 of Walker's 86-winner tally.

Lady Iffraaj is raced by another of Walker's loyal owners, Fortuna NZ Racing Stable.

Walker, who was Ellis' trainer at Matamata and a five-time New Zealand champion trainer before he moved to Singapore in 2010, could not have hoped of a better way to wrap up his prolific season.

While he might have rued some that got away from his huge entries on the final two race days, to get four winners was a bit expected from a trainer of his calibre.

TEAM EFFORT

“The score could have been better as we had five seconds, but to get 86 winners, I can't complain,” said Walker.

“Again, I can't stress enough it was a team effort all year round from (assistant-trainer) Gussy (Clutterbuck) to all the syces, as well as the track riders and my two main jockeys, Shafiq (Rizuan) and (Manoel) Nunes.”

Walker added that his last two winners typify the handy New Zealand breeds who have formed the backbone of his success from Day 1.

“Well done to David Ellis, who bought those two at Karaka relatively cheap. David bought Lady Iffraaj on behalf of Fortuna NZ Racing for only NZ$27,000 ($25,600) while I think Clutha Lad cost NZ$42,000,” he said.

“Clutha Lad is no superstar but he's already won around $250,000 for David. If you want to go shopping, you should go to Karaka.

“Clutha Lad has a lot of ability but he bled a few times. That day, the pattern of the race suited him and he's produced a good finish to win.”

Ridden by Oscar Chavez, the Thorn Park six-year-old raced in the rear for most of the 1,700m journey of the $80,000 Class 3 race before tacking on to the speed from the 800m to swing for home the widest.

The $22 second favourite Power Play, ridden by Nooresh Juglall, seemed to have the race all parcelled up when he hit the front and stuck to his task with great determination.

But the Patrick Shaw-trained runner could not quite find an answer to Clutha Lad's superior acceleration inside the last 200m.

Clutha Lad, who started at $33, gradually gained the upperhand to go and score by three-quarter lengths from Power Play for his fifth win in 31 starts.

As for Lady Iffraaj, who was supported to pay $22, the three-year-old filly had already given a glimpse of her ability with two seconds and a third in three starts, before she finally stormed home for her account-opener under Corey Brown in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1,000m.

Walker was naturally congratulated by many well wishers, but none could probably be more meaningful than from the person who has worked with him the closest, Ellis.

“I'm not all surprised that Mark has won the premiership in Singapore, because he's such a great horseman” said Ellis from New Zealand.

“He has the ability to get inside a horse's head, and he understands the importance of making a horse happy, keeping it happy so that it can go to the races and give its best.

“Horses only do that if they are happy and Mark seems to have an unbelievable way of understanding the individual characteristics of each horse and how to get the best out of them. And I think that's why he's so successful.

“Not only does he have a natural ability, but he is also a very hard-working guy. He phones me most mornings at 8.30am New Zealand time, which is 3.30am in Singapore, so he puts in a very long day — every day.”

Walker need not have to wake up so early now to speak to Ellis, as he has returned home during this two-week racing break — both to celebrate his success and Christmas, and carry on the work as he is not one to sleep on his laurels.

While in New Zealand, Walker will also be going around inspecting all the yearling drafts with Te Akau Racing, which has 16 horses at Walker's Kranji stables.

Most of the Te Akau partnerships have 10 to 15 individual owners in each partnership.

“He'll be with us at the races, which will give all our owners a chance to catch up with him,” said Ellis.

“Mark is really looking forward to seeing our 2000 Guineas-winning colt Xtravagant and another top colt in Scrutinize.

STRONG PARTNERSHIP: Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker pictured (right) with his staunch supporter David Ellis.