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 67 winners and continues to dominate the Trainers' Premiership - leading by 25 wins.


Friday 25 August -

10.50 p.m. R1 8 LUCKY BOY - Ismail Azhar; the first of the night for Singapore's leading trainer is this 5YO who posted a strong runner up placing when last presented. He draws well (2 of 12) for this Class 5 1200m on the polytrack and is weighted with 55.5kgs. He is a little unpredictable but his effort last start was solid and he looks a top four prospect.

11.20 p.m. R2 6 ALRINA - App S Shafrizal (a2); drawn the rank outside for this Initiation 4YO+Below WFA 1400m on the turf short course D, she drops to 54kgs with the claim and breaks from gate 10. Hunting down a major share of the 
S$65,000 stake, she finished fourth at her third attempt last time out and is improving all the time, starting to hit her straps - a top four chance.

11.50 p.m. R3 1 STAR GENIUS - App R Zawari (a2); Mark Walker lines up two of the 11 runners in this Open Benchmark 67 over 1000m back on the polytrack. The first, this 5YO daughter of Starcraft, got her just desserts when winning last start - having finished third at her four previous outings. She comes in fresh without a trial and 1000m could possibly be a touch short at this stage of her prep. - still rates a top four chance.

11.50 p.m. R3 3 ELITE GENERAL - Shafiq Rizuan; the second for the stable in this 
S$60,000 event was a winner three starts ago, however tonight draws awkwardly (10 of 11) and carries 57.5kgs. This 5YO by Exceed and Excel looks well - top four chance.

12.20 a.m. (Saturday) R4 6 FIRST LIGHT - Vlad Duric; Singapore's top rider and trainer combine in this Initiation 4YO+Below WFA 1400m on the turf short course D. This promising 4YO son of Duporth has had two starts in Singapore to date for a fourth and runner up placing. Tonight he draws one from the outside unfortunately (9) and will carry 57.5kgs - he is enjoying good form but the 10 horse Iffragal (interestingly selected and purchased by David Ellis) does look hard to beat at the weights.

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R5 7 AWATERE - Shafiq Rizuan; a winner three and four starts ago, this Charge Forward four-year-old is the first of three runners for Mark Walker in the Class 3 1400m on the turf short course D. Drawn the best of the trio (2), he is weighted with just 53.5kgs and a horse improving all the time - he will most likely go forward from the good barrier draw this time - a top four chance.

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R5 8 LIM'S REFORM - Derrick David; the second for the stable in this S$80,000 event draws better (6) and has a similar weight (53kgs) on his back. Previously racing under the name of Damon, this O'Reilly gelding is now a 6YO but is arguably in the form of his career (3-3-2-1-4) - he does however get back so this short course D may not suit him - place chance.

12.50 a.m. (Saturday) R5 STORM TROOPER - App CK Ng (a3); a grand old campaigner, he has the plum draw of the three stablemates (1) and with the apprentice allowance has just 48.5kgs to carry. A horse that will take benefit from any rain, he was back in the winners' circle two starts back but he needs to get back to Class 4 level to be really competitive.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R6 1 BAO SHAN MAGIC - App R Zawari (a2); another race with three entrants for the stable is this Class 4 1200m on the turf short course D. The first runner debuted stylishly last start in Singapore with a very encouraging second placing. Tonight with 55kgs thanks to the apprentice allowance, and a handy draw (4), he is in good form and looks well - top four chance.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R6 7 ASPREY - Shafiq Rizuan; the next for Mark Walker has however copped the rank outside draw (12 of 12) but has a lightweight of 53.5kgs on his back. After an improver's run for third last time, it is interesting to note that he actually lost an eye, so he races with one eye for the first time - a place chance.

1.20 a.m. (Saturday) R6 CLUTHA LAD - App CK Ng (a3); another veteran who has more than paid his way in Singapore, is this 8YO son of Thorn Park. Purchased by David Ellis for $36,000, he has earned well in excess of $300,000 in Singapore and showed he still had more to offer when winning two starts ago. The last of the three stablemates, he sits first on the ballot - if he gets a start, he jumps one from the outside with just 47kgs assigned.

1.50 a.m. (Saturday) R7 7 MAJOR TOM - Shafiq Rizuan; yet another race featuring three starters for the stable - this Class 3 1400m over 1400m on the turf short course D. The first is a son of Darci Brahma who really has made a huge impact as a sire in Singapore. He is the winner of three of his eight Kranji starts with those three wins coming from his last five starts. Tonight he draws well (2 of 11), and is allocated only 53.5kgs. He just found the track a bit too firm last start - an each way chance.

1.50 a.m. (Saturday) R7 ANCIENT WARRIOR - Craig Grylls; the second for Mark Walker has also found good form, with two wins from his last four starts for his New Zealand owner. Unfortunately he has copped the widest draw (11 of 11) but does have the lightweight of just 52.5kgs. He won well last time but has the barrier draw to overcome - top five chance.

1.50 a.m. (Saturday) R7 10 SHOW FAR SHOW GOOD - Derreck David; as his name suggests, a gelding by Showcasing to complete the stable representation in this race. He's drawn well enough (5), carries only 51.5kgs and with a 6-1-2-3 form line, he could certainly make his presence felt here. He went a super race fresh up for third, is in good form - rates a top four chance.

2.20 a.m. (Saturday) R8 1 JUSTICE LIGHT - Vlad Duric; two stable reps. to finish a very busy night for the Te Akau team in this Class 4 1200m on the turf short course D. Another by super Singapore Champion Sire Darci Brahma, this promising 4YO has been virtually unstoppable recently 2-2-2-1-1 with his last two wins being impressive indeed. He has drawn the ace and will carry 57kgs - trying for a hat trick of wins which is always hard to do - top four chance.

2.20 a.m.(Saturday) R8 6 SACRED SURFER - Craig Grylls; the last runner for the night will be ridden by the visiting Kiwi rider and is having his second start in Singapore for the Raffles' Racing team. A 5YO by Choisir, he has drawn out somewhat (9) in this 12-strong line-up and has 54.5kgs assigned. There was plenty to like about his debut third - he might however be looking for further so rates a place chance.