Lucky Strikes Again

It was another successful weekend for Te Akau's Singapore stable with trainer Mark Walker welcoming not one but two runners back into the winners' circle - and maintaining his lead on the Trainers' Premiership in the process.

On Friday night it was Molly Browne who saluted the judge while on Sunday, the line honours went the way of the very talented My Lucky Strike who continued on his winning way - and winning is something this 3YO knows how to do well!

A son of Charge Forward, the brown Australian bred gelding first stepped out for trainer Mark Walker back in November 2014.  It was a stylish performance to win by two lengths on debut in the hands of Lisa Allpress - in a performance over 1000m that showed there was plenty more to come.

And so it transpired - exactly a month later in December last year, again with Lisa in the saddle, he settled right on the pace in a similar vein to his debut performance.  Second up and a second win, again over the 1000m, this time in novice company.

My Lucky Strike was at it again in January this year with an easy Class 4 1000m win, this time for champion jockey Manny Nunes.  After jumping brilliantly and leading all the way, he was not to be denied and scored by half a length over the well regarded Brahma Circus - three starts now, for three victories.

His fourth start was a case of history repeating itself, although stepping up to the 1100m.  Again with Nunes as pilot, he settled fourth and bided his time to scorch home in the straight for an emphatic two length victory.

My Lucky Strike has only missed a podium finish on one occasion, and that first "miss" came on 6 March in a Benchmark 83 1200m - looking all over the winner he fought bravely for Nunes but had to settle for fifth, just swamped in the very final stages.

However on Sunday he was "back where he belonged" and this time for Te Akau's champion Singapore apprentice Shafiq Rusof - on the polytrack over 1000m he made a meal of his opposition claiming an easy win in the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C SW 1000m in a time of 57.99.

So with six starts and five wins and a future that indeed looks very promising.  There is no question that My Lucky Strike (who has already won almost $200,000 for his owners the Lucky Stable) will be a force to be reckoned with in Singapore!

Congratulations to the Lucky Stable and to Mark - yet another win for Mark, the Singapore Trainers' Premiership leader.  It was also terrific to see our apprentice Shafiq notch up another win.  This talented rider has flourished under the tutelage of Mark and has already been a champion apprentice title winner in Singapore.  He looks to be in line to repeat that feat as he too currently leads his Premiership (that for Apprentice Riders) with 18 wins so far this season - five clear of former New Zealand based apprentice Harry Kasim.