Te Akau Singapore Friday Preview

Singapore's Champion Trainer of 2015 and 2017, Te Akau's Mark Walker has recorded 27 wins, 26 second and 28 third placings - the highlight thus far being the Group 2 Merlion Trophy win by Distinctive Darci and the Group 2 Stewards' Cup with Elite Invincible.


Friday 15 June - note this meeting is a daytime meeting in Singapore


6.20 p.m. R3 5 SACRED GALAXY - Ryan Curatolo; two Mark Walker runners take their place in the Class 4 non-premier 1600m on the turf short course C where this 5YO unfortunately cops the outside draw (14) and has 56.5kgs to carry. A son of Flying Spur, he has been disappointing of late, the outside draw compounds his chances - his future racing looks to be in Malaysia.

6.20 p.m. R3 6 MOMENT OF JUSTICE - App CK Ng (a3); the second for the stable in this S$45,000 event is another 5YO who draws much better than his stablemate (5 of 14) and drops to 52.5kgs with the apprentice claim. He went a very good race for second last time presented and down in the weights here with the apprentice allowance - a top four chance.

6.55 p.m. R4 2 AXEL - Vlad Duric; two 2YOs on debut for the stable in this Open Juvenile 2YO, the Third Leg of the Golden Horseshoe Series, raced on the turf short course C over 1200m. The first for the stable is a Darci Brahma gelding who was purchased by David Ellis from the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka last year - he will jump from gate four and is assigned 57kgs with the top rider engaged. Raced by a small team of Kiwis, he faces a very strong 2YO field for his first Singapore appearance but he has trialled well in both New Zealand and in Singapore and will gain further valuable experience with the outing - place chance.

6.55 p.m. R4 3 CLARTON STAR - Ismail Azhar; the second debutant for Mark Walker is a son of Highly Recommended and he has drawn 10 of the 14 runners and also carries 57kgs. He shapes as more of a 3YO type but has been very well educated - he does however have a tricky draw to navigate in this S$90,000 event - place chance.

8.00 p.m. R6 6 BIG REGARDS - Craig Grylls; another by Darci Brahma whose stock race so well in Singapore, this 4YO draws one from the outside gate (9) in the field of 10 for this Class 5 1600m on the turf short course C. With 54kgs on his back, and somewhat mixed form, overall he has been somewhat disappointing but he could surprise in this S$45,000 event if any rain arrives.

8.30 p.m. R7 1 KINGSMAN - Vlad Duric; Mark Walker has a strong hand to play in the Class 2 1600m on the turf short course C starting three of the nine runners - a third of the field. Staying with the Darci Brahma theme, this talented 4YO has been in super form, has the leading rider engaged, draws the ace and carries 57kgs. He absolutely flying and should be hard to beat without any bad luck.

8.30 p.m. R7 3 LIM'S REGARD - Ryan Curatolo; the second of the trio also has been in sublime form with a form-line that boasts back to back wins two and three starts ago. This son of Red Giant also draws well (5) and has 56kgs on his back. He will improve with more distance - place prospect.

8.30 p.m. R7 8 LIM'S KNIGHT - Alysha Collett; the final starter in this three pronged attack for the stable also draws handily (4) and has just 52kgs for the Kiwi rider, already successful for the stable since her arrival in Singapore. In this 
S$100,000 race, this 5YO presents as a dangerous light-weight chance.

10.00 p.m. R10 6 MAJOR TOM - App Mohamad Firdaus (a1); another stable duo to round off the day's programme - the two stable reps. take their place in the Class 3 1400m on the turf short course C where he draws well (4) and drops to 54kgs with the apprentice aboard. Another 4YO son of Darci Brahma, he is getting close to regaining his winning form - with any rain about, he rates an each way chance.

10.00 p.m. R10 7 LIM'S REFORM - App CK Ng (a3); the second for the stable in the S$80,000 event was a winner two starts ago, draws out a touch (8 of 11) but does enjoy a weight reduction to just 51kgs with the apprentice to ride. A 6YO by O'Reilly, he presents as a dangerous lightweight chance with the claimer up.