Promise to the Fore

Hidden Promise (6 g Postponed - Promissory, by Zabeel), purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $65,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud, recorded his fifth win on Sunday at Kranji racecourse in Singapore.

Making good use of barrier one in the $38,000 Kranji D 1600 metres on the poly track, rider Vlad Duric secured a trailing position for Hidden Promise at the 1200m, was clear to challenge two off the rail on straightening and he ran down stable-mate Northern Knight in the shadows of the post.

“He dropped back into the right grade,” said trainer Mark Walker. “We've got quite a few horses that are racing well, but when they do drop a grade it makes a big difference. He was struggling to win in Class 4, but back in Kranji D for the first time and home he rolled.

“He's been a slow maturing horse, out of a Zabeel mare. The owners have been patient and he's reaped the rewards. He's a very sound horse, still lightly raced and he'll win more prize money.”

The win took his earnings to NZ$171,585 for owners in Fortuna Hidden Promise Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

Hidden Promise finished second as a two-year-old when undergoing educational trials from the Te Akau stables at Matamata, before transferring to Walker as a three-year-old.

“Dave (Ellis) and Jamie (Richards) liked the horse at the Ready to Run Sale and they did a good job of preparing him at home before he came over here,” Walker said.

The win capped a great weekend for Fortuna Syndications, after Champion Two-Year-Old Melody Belle topped one-million dollars in earnings with victory in the weight-for-age $200,000 Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) on Saturday at Hastings. Purchased by David Ellis for $57,500 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, she provided trainer Jamie Richards with his first Group One winner as sole trainer at Te Akau Racing.

Richards has started the season with a flurry of winners: seven from 14 runners.

“It was a fantastic result for everyone,” said Walker, referring to the win by Melody Belle. “You have to be patient and ride the wave when it comes.

Walker was also impressed with the rides by Shafiq on both Melody Belle and stable-mate Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle) earlier on the programme.

“He's a class rider and I've said that for a long time, and I think people are realising that at home (NZ) now,” said Walker, who tutored the young Malaysian when apprenticed to Te Akau at Matamata, before heading home when Walker started training nearly eight years ago at Kranji.

“He's made a great start, riding winners as soon as he arrived in March. Pressure doesn't get to him. A bit like Opie (Bosson), some handle the pressure and some don't. They both handle it really well.

“His ride on the Shark was a great example of his skills. He got the horse balanced first, got him on the right leg and then let him go, where as there are a fair few of them that just come around the corner, these days, and pull the stick. But, he's not a rider like that.

“Shafiq said to me when I was home last week that he's enjoying his riding.”