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It was a successful afternoon of racing at Kranji for Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker as two Te Akau runners, both bought by David from Karaka, saluted the judge.

First was our 7YO warhorse Affirmation continued on his winning way, the dour grey making it back to back wins as he claimed the Kranji Stakes D over 1400m.  It was an inspired effort by this horse having his 60^th start in Singapore for Te Akau - known as “Rocky” back to Class 5 last start he won easily and was able to repeat the feat on Sunday under a no-panic ride from Manny Nunes who had also ridden him to victory the start prior. 

As the commentator mentioned before turning from home “and last is Affirmation, he'd have to be good to win from there” - well good he wes, and he came sailing down the outside of the track to score by half a length.  The running position stats tell the story - in the field of 13, his were 13-8-1.   Another Te Akau trained grey Zac Suggestion filled the third spot in that same race.

It was start 60 in Singapore for the son of Fastnet Rock out of Affirmed Lane .  Prior to joining our Singapore stable, Rocky had raced in New Zealand nine times, recording two wins and six minor placings for stakes of $15,040.  In Singapore he has won a further eight races and been placed 11 times with an impressive prize money tally of $295,773.

Later on the programme, ultra-consistent galloper Golden Sand Steed added to his record by claiming the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1000m. Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Shafiq Rizuan, the 4YO scored by a head from the well-supported favourite Got Luck (Danny Beasley) with Shipping Forecast (John Powell) two-and-a-quarter lengths away in third place.

Golden Sand Steed has been one of the most consistent sprinters racing in Singapore with the New Zealand-bred gelding having now won six of his 18 starts, but he also has a further 10 minor placings to his credit.

While most of his racing has been on the Polytrack, a surface that all his six victories have been achieved on, he's also been placed two times from three starts on the turf.

Shafiq allowed Golden Sand Steed time to balance up in in fourth place early. Got Luck led the way from Bionic Boy (Tengku Rehaizat) with Shipping Forecast and Golden Sand Steed next in line.  Turning for home Shafiq edged out into clear galloping room under a good hold and quickly leveled up to Got Luck. He looked set to go on and record an easy victory, but Got Luck, a winner of four of his previous five starts, wouldn't be denied with Beasley extracting every little last bit from that gelding.

New Zealand trainer Mark Walker described Gold Sand Steed as a “tough little bugger” and a great advertisement for Singapore racing.

“He's got the heart of a lion,” said Walker. “He was purchased for NZ$65,000 out of Karaka and that win today has taken his prizemoney to around $330,000.

“It's (Singapore) one of the best models for racing in the world. This horse would not have been able to win this sort of money back home.  He's getting better with age. His sire Pins gets good horses and is proving a versatile stallion as well.

“I don't have any big plans with him. We'll just pick our way through the grades for the time being. He's still only lightly-raced and hopefully can keep his record going.”

Shafiq said Golden Sand Steed only has a short sharp sprint and is usually better off when ridden a little further back off the speed, but with Got Luck engaged he wanted to be closer in the run.

“He jumped well and he put himself into the race from the start,” said Shafiq. “I didn't want to be giving Got Luck too much start either as I knew he is a good horse.  He likes being held up for a late sprint but today I probably got to the front just a bit too soon but he fought hard and won the race.”

Others to weigh in included runners up Zac Command, Brahms & Liszt and Irish Rebel while Star Rainbow, Zac Suggestion and Om finished third in their respective races. 

After Sunday's racing, Mark Walker lies third on the Singapore Trainers' Premiership with 65 winners - he has also trained 87 runners up, 74 third and 80 fourth placegetters.

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