Lucky Strike x 7

The Singapore Turf Club reports on Te Akau Singapore trained My Lucky Strike's seventh win at just his ninth start - a superb training effort by Mark Walker at Kranji on Friday ...

A beaten favourite in the Korea Racing Authority Trophy (1200m) two weeks ago, My Lucky Strike stylishly bounced straight back to the winner's circle when brought back in trip in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes B race over 1000m on Sunday.

The speedy son of Charge Forward lost no marks in the first race open to Korean horses on July 26, but Super Winner proved too nippy and, as gallant as his effort was on the rails, he just could not reel him in to run second 1 ¼ lengths astern.

Trainer Mark Walker was anything but disappointed after that run, convinced he could have run a better race had he been able to come out early at the top of the straight.

My Lucky Strike (Manoel Nunes) back to winning ways in race 9 on Friday.

The New Zealander, who threw in another one of his up-and-comers in the race, Kam's Comet (Shafiq Rizuan) had to, however, worry about another niggling factor for My Lucky Strike on Sunday - the top impost of 59.5kg.

But he need not have worried as My Lucky Strike, who was dropped to the rear by Nunes from the outset, coursed out wide to charge home on the outside to have the last crack at them in the home straight.

Bellwether did try to pinch the race at the 300m mark when he hit the lead with plenty of purpose for jockey Corey Brown, but he had no answer when My Lucky Strike, who was again backed down to $9 favouritism, came dashing past to go and put the race to bed as he pleased, clocking the smart time of 57.95 seconds, an amazing feat given the mass he shouldered.

Bellwether plugged on for second another 2 ½ lengths away with Kam's Comet doing very well against better company to finish third three parts of a length away.

“I think he ran well the last time in the KRA Trophy. I just think if he had got to the outside, it might have been a different story,” said Walker.

“Nunes could not get a run to the outside as he had horses on his outside, but he still had every chance. He's not the biggest horse but he's really gutsy.

“I will probably give him a freshen-up and bring him back in September, probably an 1000m or 1100m, nothing too ambitious, but I think he can also go over 1200m as he was running on well in the Korea race.”

Nunes said he was concerned about the 59.5kg before the race but the way the race panned out as Exceed Express (Barend Vorster) and Petrenui (Oscar Chavez) set the early pace, he was confident his mount would prevail at the business end.

“The trip (1000m) was perfect and he's a horse who has the speed and also can come from behind,” said the leading Brazilian jockey.

“I was worried about the 59.5kg and I have to thank Mark and the owner (Lucky Stable) for keeping me on, but it worked out well in the end. He was just too good today.”

With that seventh win, My Lucky Strike has now brought up earnings past the $360,000 (from just nine starts) for the Lucky Stable.