Kam's Comet Shoots Home

After two wins on Friday, Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker was at it again - this time with a horse bred in New Zealand and purchased out of New Zealand by Te Akau Racing

Kam's Comet has certainly earned his huge reputation - the son of Danroad romped home again on Sunday at Kranji - as the Singapore Turf Club reports:
Malaysian apprentice jockey Mohd Firdaus vaulted to the top of the Singapore log after he rang up a magnificent riding treble on Sunday.

Returning from a two-day suspension for careless riding aboard Aqualad, the Johor Bahru boy did not salute from two rides at his comeback on Friday, but turned that drab day on its head with a hat-trick of wins from Know Each Other, Kam's Comet and Singsurat on Sunday, allowing him to sweep past previous long-time leader Joseph See, who was recently handed a one-year ban which he has appealed against.

Firdaus' first winner Know Each Other for his master Patrick Shaw actually dead-heated with Gold Crown in the $38,000 Kranji Stakes D Division 2 race over 1400m, but with such wins computed as a whole win not a half-win, he currently sits atop on eight wins.

The saddle has slipped back but Kam's Comet (Mohd Firdaus) still makes the Open Benchmark 89 his own
on Sunday.

“I have to keep working hard and ride as many winners as possible. It would be great if I can carry on but it's a long season,” said Firdaus.

“It was good to get good rides at only my second day after suspension. I have to thank Mr (Mark) Walker, Mr (Cliff) Brown and my boss for these three good rides.”

Of the three winners, Walker's Kam's Comet was arguably the most impressive victor when he blew away his rivals in the $100,000 Open Benchmark 89 race over 1100m in spite of a slipped-back saddle.

After a good jump, Kam's Comet took a sit along the rails in midfield as the two Shane Baertschiger's Pioneer Seven (Matthew Kellady) and Mycaptainoblivious (Syafiq Hazman) set the early pace with another speedster Ghost (Chung Wah Thong) squeezed in between.

Swinging for home, Kam's Comet ($22) dived for a gap and though his saddle had slipped back, Firdaus was able to drive him to the line, 2 ¼ lengths clear of Good News (Oscar Chavez) with favourite The General (Barend Vorster) third another head away.

The winning time was 1min 5.55secs for the 1100m on Polytrack.

“Kam's Comet is a very nice horse I rode at his last start. The field was too strong (fifth) but today, he was back in easier company,” said Firdaus.

“He jumped quickly and I had him travelling relaxed. Once I got the split at the top of the straight, he gave a very good kick and I didn't have much to do really.  I only noticed the saddle had shifted after the winning post. I never felt uncomfortable during the race and was able to push him right out to the line.”

Walker said Kam's Comet was a progressive sort who is destined to climb to a higher echelon one day, but he would resist the temptation of throwing him in at the deep end for now.

“I'll have a chat with the owner, but he's a nice progressive sort and I would rather go for handicap races first,” said the 2015 Singapore champion trainer.

“The Merlion Trophy, which is a weight-for-age race would be a step too far for him. It's a bit soon to test him at a higher level.”

The Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) is the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series and will be run on March 6.

A four-year-old by Danroad, Kam's Comet has now taken his handy record to seven wins and two placings from 13 starts for stakes earnings in excess of $310,000 for Dutch owner Mari van der Kam.