Te Akau Singapore Friday Preview

Singapore's Champion Trainer of 2015 and 2017, Te Akau's Mark Walker has recorded 17 wins, 23 second and 20 third placings.


Friday 27 April 2018
 - note no Sunday meeting this weekend

10.10 p.m. R1 4 QINGDAO - App R Zawari (a1); the stable kicks off tonight in the 
S$20,000 Maiden 1200m on the polytrack with this son of Volksraad who has drawn nicely (3) and drops to 53.5kgs with the apprentice aboard. This 5YO showed an improved performance when second last start and rates a place chance in the field of 12 runners.

10.40 p.m. R2 1 BURKAAN - Benny Woodnorth; on debut in Singapore tonight, this 2YO by exciting young sire Burgundy takes his place in the Restricted Maiden 2YO WFA 1000m on the polytrack. He too draws to advantage (2) and has 57kgs allocated. In this S$85,000 event with just a starting line-up of seven, he arrives at Kanji having been well educated in New Zealand - place chance.

11.10 p.m. R3 3 MOMENT OF JUSTICE - Vlad Duric; another handy draw (4 of 13) for this 5YO in the Class 4 Non-Premier 1800m on the turf long course C. With 56.5kgs and the country's champion rider engaged, he will make his presence felt with the arrival of any rain - an each way prospect.

12.10 a.m. (Saturday) R5 11 JACK'S SECRET- App Mohamad Firdaus (a1); with the apprentice claim, this son of Sakhee's Secret will carry 54kgs in the S$80,000 Kranji Stakes C SW 1100m on the polytrack where he draws well (3 of 12). Raced by Fortuna, this 5YO has shown plenty of good form with two second placings and a winning turn from his last five appearances - however he needs to return to Class 4 to have greater impact.

12.40 a.m. (Saturday) R6 4 DISTINCTIVE DARCI - Vlad Duric; the reigning Champion Jockey and Trainer combine with this exciting son of Darci Brahma to contest one of the features of the evening, the S$500,000 Group 2 Merlion Trophy. Raced under WFA conditions over 1200m on the polytrack, he has copped a slightly awkward draw (9 of 12) and is assigned 57.5kgs. His lead-up races, back to back wins, have him primed and ready for a big performance this evening in the prestigious race for 3YO+ horses. Purchased by David Ellis from Karaka, this 4YO os in great form but does face the toughest test of his outstanding career under these WFA conditions.

1.15 a.m. (Saturday) R7 9 LIM'S KNIGHT - Ryan Curatolo; with two fourth placings from his last two starts, this 5YO looks well placed in the S$80,000 Class 3 1200m on the turf long course C. Jumping from gate ten in the maximum field of 14 doesn't make it easy but he carries only 53 kgs - he needs to drop back to Class 4 to again make his mark.

2.20 a.m. (Saturday) R9 5 STAR GENIUS - Vlad Duric; two runners to close off the evening for Mark Walker in the Class 3 1200m on the turf long course C - the first draws best (3) and the leading rider brings 56kgs into play. A capable mare, her prospects will be enhanced by any rain on the night.

2.20 a.m. (Saturday) R9 SACRED GALAXY - App Noorman Hanafi (a4); the second for the stable will bounce from barrier six in the 14-strong S$80,000 event with the featherweight of 48kgs, courtesy of the maximum apprentice allowance. Raced by the Raffles' Racing team, this 5YO Flying Spur gelding is another that needs to return to Class 4 to again feature more prominently.