Home Grown Hero

​Improved barrier manners saw Riedel (who we know as Tim) land his second victory in his last three starts when taking out the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

Ridden by apprentice Shafiq Rizuan, Riedel scored by a neck from Mr Armstrong (Manoel Nunes) with Dark Pulse (Corey Brown) a half-length back in third place.

At his last start on November 15, Riedel missed the start by three lengths and as a consequence settled at the back of the field before running on late to fill third place behind Nation Theatre.

On this occasion however Riedel broke much better and Shafiq was able to take a closer position to the speed, settling down in third spot behind Stage Bright (Alan Munro) and Dark Pulse.

Turning for home Dark Pulse quickly headed Stage Bright with Riedel getting into clear galloping room under a good hold from Shafiq.

Riedel hit the lead with 200m to run and set up a winning break with the runner-up Mr Armstrong eating into the margin.

Trainer Mark Walker, who notched his 66th winner for the year, said his team had done a lot of work on Riedel since his last start to improve his barrier manners.

“He's got a lot of scope and ability but he's got a few mental issues as well,” said Walker.

“He's certainly a work in progress but he's getting better all the time. Tonight was the best he had gone down to the start as he's usually with the pony to keep him quiet.

“Also he's going to keep improving all the time here and he's also going to be better off when he gets up over a bit more ground as well.”

Riedel is by Saperavi with Walker saying the stallion is a half-brother to Darci Brahma who has proven a hit sire in Singapore.

“He's a home-bred,” said Walker. “He was bred at Te Akau Staud and is by a half-brother to Darci Brahma.

“He was sent up here after a few runs in New Zealand and I think now with a bit of age he's just starting to find his way.”

Riedel is from La Conga and he's now had 10 starts in total. From his five starts in Singapore after arriving from New Zealand he's recorded two wins and a third and accumulated around $55,000 in prizemoney for Te Akau Racing.

A big, beautiful boy Tim was bred by David Ellis, Denis McNamara and John Rennie and is raced by them together with Julia Rose Ellis and Tim Rennie.