Singapore Success Continues

Barely a weekend passes with Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker taking his team back to the stable without a winner amongst them.  His season thus far his been nothing short of outstanding and the winning continued on Friday night at Kranji.

This time it was the turn of Hillbilly Bear, a Thorn Park 4YO raced by well known racing identity and Hawkes Bay farmer Peter Grieve in partnership with his sister Jenny.

Sent to race from the Te Akau stable in Singapore, Hillbilly has really thrived in that environment and the results are clear on the track.  He has now raced eight times for two wins, two second and two fourth placings - his stakes now topping the $92,000 mark.

In the absence of his usual raceday rider Joao Moreira, he lacked nothing skill wise with his "stand in" rider Corey Brown.  After settling mid field, Brown was very patient with his charge and in the home straight Hillbilly seemed a doubtful winner, a placing looking his best hope.  Rider and horse had other ideas however, as the gelding unleashed a withering turn of foot to descend on them out wide and get up to win by a a long neck.

Hillbilly Bear brought up trainer Mark Walker's 41st win for the season and he remains in charge of the Trainers' Premiership with 41 wins - five clear of Michael Freedman (36) and eight clear of Patrick Shaw and Laurie Laxon who have both trained 33 winners.