Te Akau Singapore Friday Preview

The 2015 Champion Singapore Trainer and Trainers' Premiership winner, the Akau's Mark Walker (who finished third on the 2016 Trainers' Premiership) has trained 52 winners and continues to dominate the Trainers' Premiership - leading by 16 wins.

Friday 7 July -

11.50 p.m. R3 7 DISCRETELY RED - App R Zawari (a2); Mark Walker's first two runners for the night step out in this Open Maiden WFA 100m on the polytrack where they both make their debut. This 3YO son of Redwood was bought at Karaka by David Ellis and with the claim will carry 55kgs but has drawn nastily - 12 of 12 - for his first appearance. He will be suited over more distance.

11.50 p.m. R3 11 POWER WARRIOR - K A'Isisuhairi (Harry Kasim); the second “first-timer” for trainer Mark Walker is by the up and coming young stallion Power and for his debut has not fared much better, one from the outside (11) but with just 50kgs on his back. He is a nice 2YO but the draw does not assist his chances - place chance.

12.20 a.m. (Saturday) R4 3 DISTINCTIVE DARCI - Vlad Duric; another double-header for the stable with this talented son of multiple Champion Singapore sire Darci Brahma drawing eight of 11 and carrying 56kgs in the Class 3 1100m on the polytrack. This 3YO is fresh up after a nice break - in great form - expect him to be a strong top four chance.

12.20 a.m. (Saturday) R4 7 HELLO MICHELLE - App R Zawari (a2); the second starter for the stable in this S$80,000 event jumps from gate four with only 52kgs, courtesy of the apprentice claim. A very capable, last start winning daughter of Minstrel Court, she goes up in grade - place chance.

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R5 9 BIG REGARDS - App R Zawari (a2); with an improver's run last start for fourth, the trainer will be looking for that trend to continue in this Class 5 1600m on the turf short course A. With 52kgs on his back, but unfortunately breaking from barrier 12 of 14, he needs to keep stepping up.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R6 3 FEROCIOUS - Shafiq Rizuan; Mark Walker lines up two juveniles in the prestigious Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe which is the final leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe Series for two year olds - this event over 1200m on the turf short course A. Bought by David Ellis from the NZB Ready to Run Sale last year, this son of Sebring was very impressive when winning on debut and has trained on well since. He has drawn awkwardly (9) in the capacity field of 16 and carries 56kgs under the set weight conditions. He is a highly promising type and with some luck from the draw, can be right in this.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R6 14 BRINGER OF WAR - Derrick David; the second starter for the stable in the 2YO feature is this talented filly by Burgundy who has turned heads in her four starts in Singapore with a 2-3-1-3 record underlining her ability - last start against the older horses too. She lands a plum draw (3) for the S$325,000 feature on Group 1 Singapore Derby weekend and carries 54.5kgs. She faces a big step up in class but with the good draw rates a top five chance.

1.55 a.m. (Saturday) R7 14 AUSPICIOUS ACE - TBA; sits second on the ballot for this Class 4 1200m on the polytrack and draws eight of 12, carrying 51 kgs but looks unlikely to make the field.

2.25 a.m. (Saturday) R8 3 NORTHERN KNIGHT - Shafiq Rizuan; seldom out of the money, this consistent gelding draws wide (12) and is weighted with 56.5kgs in the Class 4 1600m on the turf short course A. He disappointed second up but gets to the mile and should improve.