Te Akau Singapore Friday Preview

Te Akau horses racing at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore, where 2015 Trainers' Premiership winner Mark Walker lies third on the Trainers' Premiership - now with 44 wins since 1 January.

Friday 12 August

10.50 p.m. R2 4 MIGHTY CONQUEROR - I Azhar; draws well (4) in this 14-strong Initiation WFA 1200m event on the short turf course B. The first of two Mark Walker runners, he carries 57.5kgs and after trialling up nicely, he debuts tonight.  Still acclimatising, he nonetheless rates a top four chance.

10.50 p.m. R2 10 AWATERE- Manuel Nunes; the second stable runner has copped a less advantageous draw (11) but does carry the feather-weight of 50.5kgs for his NZ owners. He is in good form but the draw is tricky on the short course - if he can get luck from that barrier, he is a top four chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/4563/2

11.50 p.m. R4 1 BEST JADE - Manuel Nunes; to be ridden by the top jockey, he has drawn well (3) in the small field of eight runners - this 4YO Showcasing gelding is first of two for Mark Walker.  With 58kgs in this Kranji Stakes D on the polytrack, he resumes after a freshen up.  He has returned in great order and is fully acclimatised - as such he rates a top four chance.

11.50 p.m. R4 4 UNSURPASSED - A Da Silva; the second for the stable has drawn a reasonable gate (6) and carries 56.5kgs for the 1000m event.  He disappointed the trainer last start but he appears to have held his breath.  Therefore there have been some training and gear adjustments and if he puts his best foot forward, he rates a top four chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/4563/4

12.20 a.m. R5 1 CLERMONT CLUB - Manuel Nunes; Mark Walker's runners make up a quarter of this field with a trio engaged.  This son of Casino Prince has drawn the widest of them (11) and is weighted with 57kgs.  He finds a suitable race here in division two and he ran well last time over 1200m - expected to be a top four chance.

12.20 a.m. R5 5 READY FORTUNE - Shafiq Rizuan; the second of the stable's three starters, he has drawn best (1) and carries 56.5kgs with Te Akau's former two-time champion Singapore apprentice aboard.   Raced by Fortuna, he is an older horse now just turning seven and with a bit of “mileage on the clock” but the trainer is doing his best to win another race for his connections - a place chance.

12.20 a.m. R5 8 DOUBLE JEOPARDY - App CK Ng (a3); the third of the stable starters, and the second for Fortuna, in this 12-runner field drops to a competitive 52kgs with the apprentice claim and jumps from gate six.  He just struggling a bit to win a race and after a handy fourth last time, he looks a place chance at best.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/4563/5

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R6 3 NAZIR - Shafiq Rizuan; again a trio of runners for the stable, the first is having his third Singapore start and has drawn nicely (2) and will carry 57kgs.  He is still acclimatising and needs to get up over more ground.  He is a nice horse and once he steps up in distance we will see the best of him - place chance on that basis in the Class 4 1400m.

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R6 7 NORTHERN KNIGHT - Olivier Placais; the second stable rep. in the Class 4 on the turf short course B has also drawn well (3) but carries 55kgs.  He too is still acclimatising and did get uptight in the parade ring last start so wears ear-muffs on Friday.  Look for him over more ground in due course.

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R6 9 VRAAD - Manuel Nunes; last but not least of the three, he has drawn the least favourably (10 from 10) but carries just 512.5kgs.  He is always honest and ran a nice fourth last start - any rain around would suit him.  He does have a tricky draw to overcome - a place chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/4563/6

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R7 1 FINE CHOICE - Manuel Nunes; good to see this talented 2YO have his first start as a 3YO.  He carries the top weight of 58kgs and will jump from gate two in the Kranji Stakes D over 1000m. He comes off a long lay-off and will take great improvement from this outing - a place chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/4563/7

2.20 a.m. (Saturday) R9 4 THE COSMOS - Shafiq Rizuan; the first of two stable starters in the final event, the Class 4 1100m on the polytrack.  He has drawn 11 of 12 and will carry 55.5kgs.  He has been a very consistent galloper for his NZ connections since arriving in Singapore but did disappoint at his last couple but did have excuses.  Change of gear with blinker/pacifiers going on for the first time and will be ridden close to the speed.  Up to turning his fortunes around - a top four chance.

2.20 a.m. (Saturday) R9 8 COURT CASE - Manuel Nunes; the second runner in this event and final one for the evening, he draws just one better than his stablemate (10) and carries just 1kg less (54.5kgs).  He's a little unpredictable but he comes off a nice four week layoff - a top four chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/4563/9