Mark Leads by 26 Wins

It was another super weekend of winning results for Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker with Ivanhoe winning on Friday and then two former New Zealand gallopers Aspen and Bao Shan Magic adding to the trainer's winning tally that now stands at 74 - now 26 wins ahead in the Trainers' Premiership ...

Aspen (7 g Alamosa - Kirin Belle, by McGinty) did the job in no uncertain terms on Sunday at Kranji racecourse in Singapore, winning by three and a quarter lengths.

A Group One placed winner when trained by Te Akau at Matamata, before transferring to Mark Walker, he has now added a further four wins to his tally with stakes approaching $180,000.

Having already won twice in Class 4, Aspen had been performing consistently throughout the year back in Class 5. Te Akau apprentice Zawari Razali eased the weight burden to 56kgs, utilized barrier one to trail and after receiving a gorgeous run in third Aspen displayed good stretch to get away easily over the final furlong in the $35,000 Class 5 1200 metres on the poly track.

“We probably had higher expectations for him in Singapore but I think the three-year-old form in his year didn't really stack up in New Zealand and quite often that can happen with three-year-old form,” Walker said. “Some years are stronger than others, but in saying that he has paid his way up here and that's the main thing.”

For owners in the Te Akau Aspen Syndicate and loyal followers, $6.60 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB appeared a generous return for the ease of victory.

Recording his first win on the polytrack, Aspen ran the 1200 metres in 1:12.08 and last 600m in 35.8.

“It was his first win on the poly which gives us a few options, although he is back up to Class 4 now,” Walker said.

Purchased by David Ellis for $170,000 at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud, Aspen won his Maiden on debut as a three-year-old in September 2013, finishing third in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) at his fourth start and, as is sometimes the case with horses, their best can often be saved for a similar time of year.

From a mare that has left the winners of 17 races, Aspen is a half-brother to impressive 1400-metre winning mare Our Ella Belle (Encosta De Lago) and multiple stakes' performer Winning Belle (Zabeel).

“I've always thought Aspen was a pretty smart horse,” Ellis said. “Mark Walker trained his half-sister Our Ella Belle and she was desperately unlucky not to win the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).  It's a very good winning family and great to see Aspen still winning races as a seven-year-old.”

After winning the seventh race on the card with Aspen, Walker chimed in again to win the last with former New Zealander Bao Shan Magic (5 g Magic Albert - Nephtys, by Redoute's Choice).

A last start winner in the $60,000 Class 4 1200 metres (turf), Bao Shan Magic stepped up a notch in the $80,000 Chevron 2008 Stakes (Class 3, 1200m) on the turf.  This time it was stable jockey Shafiq that secured a lovely trip just in behind the leader and after working clear one off the rail at the 300m Bao Shan Magic galloped out powerfully for a strong win.

“Class 4 to Class 3 is always a big step up and he handled it well, and it was a lovely ride,” Walker said.

“He won with a bit of authority in the end, beating a very good field and he is certainly a promising horse.”

With the track rated good, Bao Shan Magic covered the 1200 metres in 1:10.1, last 600m in 35.7, and after winning by one and three-quarter lengths he paid $6.00 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB.  Now the winner of two of his three starts in Singapore, and second in the other, Bao Shan Magic appears to be thriving.

“He's a big horse and I think we're just getting the best of him now, because he's more mature” he said.

“His form was good early in New Zealand, and then tapered off, but looking at him he's just matured now and we're getting the benefits of that maturity.  His form at home was around 1400/1600m and while he's been acclimatizing I've kept him to 1200m, so when he gets over more ground I think he's going to be suited even more.

“Both boys (Razali & Shafiq) are riding really well. Shafiq has come out of his (apprentice) time and is not getting a lot of outside support but we know how good he is and Dave (Ellis) and I are always happy to support him. He's a very good rider and an underrated rider.

“The combination of those two boys and (premiership leader) Vlad Duric have been our main three riders this year and it's certainly worked.”

The win by Bao Shan Magic increased his season total to 74 for Walker and a lead of 26 in the premiership.