Singapore Double

It has been a winning weekend for Te Akau in both New Zealand and Singapore.  It started well with Chambord scoring an impressive fresh up win at Te Rapa on Saturday for our New Zealand trainer Jason Bridgman.

On Sunday it was the turn of our Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker who trained a winning double at Kranji.

First honours went the way of Rise 'n' Shine who lived up to the high expectations of both punters and commentators with a smart performance to claim a $75,000 Graduation 1400m.  Ridden by gun South American jockey and Jockey Premiership leader Manny Nunes, he now looks set to head to the Group 1 Singapore Guineas in three weeks' time.

Rise 'n' Shine, by Zabeel from the very good racemare Kay's Awake, has been a real find in Singapore.  Purchased by David Ellis from the Karaka Premier Sale for $130,000, he has now won close to $120,000 in just four starts - having won on three occasions and finishing second on the other.

"I had purchased this horse's full brother for $150,000 and was so impressed with his promise that I returned to buy his younger sibling who cost $130,000.  Sadly Alert has been sidelined with an injury that he is recuperating from.  However the good news was that I did offer shares in Rise 'n' Shine to Alert's owners when I first bought him - I told them this was a good family," said David Ellis.

Within an hour Mark Walker was at it again.  This time with Zac Suggestion, a grey gelding by Any Suggestion.  Ridden by another star jockey in Australian Corey Brown, he settled the 4YO mid field, rode hom patiently and charged home in the straight to win by just under half a length.

Raced by great supporters the Zac Stable, the Te Akau team was delighted to guide home another winner for them - the horse's second career win in 16 starts although he boasts eight other top four placings.