Te Akau Singapore Friday Preview

Singapore's Champion Trainer of 2015 and 2017, Te Akau's Mark Walker has recorded 24 wins, 25 second and 24 third placings - the highlight thus far being the Group 2 Merlion Trophy win by Distinctive Darci.


Friday 8 June 2018


10.20 p.m. R1 5 VENUS DE MILO - App Razali Zawari (a1); the stable kicks off tonight in this Class 5 1400m on the turf short course A with two stable reps - the first, this 3YO has drawn out (10) in the field of 14 starters and carries 57.5kgs with the claim. A daughter of Burgundy, she been disappointing of late and has a tricky draw to contend with - any rain would assist - place chance.

10.20 p.m. R1 9 BIG REGARDS - App Mohammad Firdaus; the second for Mark Walker in this S$20,000 event produced some solid performances last campaign and tonight second up, draws no better than his stablemate (11) and drops to 54kgs with the apprentice also engaged. A 4YO by Darci Brahma, he too would take benefit from any rain this evening.

10.50 p.m. R2 8 WHY PORTS - App Razali Zawari (a1); again two starters for Mark Walker - this time a Roc de Cambes 3YO filly for the same connections as The Cosmos. She will jump from gate six in this Restricted Maiden 2 & 3YO WFA 1200m on the polytrack where she will drop to 54.5kgs with the apprentice allowance. On debut, she staying filly having her first start over a distance too short for her but it is a stepping stone and she should be running on.

10.50 p.m. R2 14 ACCUMULATION - App Mohammad Firdaus (a1); in the field of 12 for the S$85,000 event, he looks unlikely to gain a start, sitting second on the ballot - drawn 11 with 57kgs allocated.

11.50 p.m. R4 10 LIM'S RHYTHM - Alan Munro; this 3YO breaks from barrier six in the 11-strong field for the Maiden 1600m on the polytrack where he will carry 54.5kgs. A 3YO Rock 'n' Pop gelding, he has been consistent without breaking through but he gets his chance in a moderate field tonight - an each way chance.

12.20 a.m. (Saturday) R5 7 BRINGER OF WAR - App CK Ng (a3); great to see the return of this stakes' placed talented daughter of Burgundy in this Class 4 Premier 1000m where the 3YO draws one from the outside in the field of just nine runners. Dropping to 54kgs with the apprentice claim, she resumes from knee surgery in this S$60,000 affair. She will take improvement from the run - place chance.

1.25 a.m. (Saturday) R7 3 ELITE POWER - Craig Grylls; to conclude the nights' racing for the stable, again two starters for Mark Walker. Th first in this Class 3 1000m on the polytrack is this 4YO son of Sakhee's Secret who unfortunately cops the one from the outside (11) and has 56kgs assigned. Hunting the thick end of the S$80,000 purse, he was desperately unlucky last time presented and again cops bad luck with this draw - if things go his way he can still rate a good each way chance on his ability.

1.24 a.m. (Saturday) R7 4 COUSTEAU - Alan Munro; the last for the night draws no better (12 of 12) and is a horse that was plagued with difficult draws in his first two appearances after arriving in Singapore. The one exception to this was his last and third start when he drew handily and capitalised on that to win stylishly. This son of Exceed and Excel will carry 55kgs but with the carpark draw yet again and up in grade, he will need plenty of luck.