Te Akau Singapore Friday Preview

Singapore's Champion Trainer of 2015 and 2017, Te Akau's Mark Walker has recorded 19 wins, 23 second and 20 third placings - the highlight thus far being last weekend's Group 2 Merlion Trophy win by Distinctive Darci.

Friday 4 May 2018


11.50 p.m. R4 3 QINGDAO - Vlad Duric; the stable kicks off tonight with three runners contesting the Maiden 1600m on the polytrack. The first of the trio unfortunately draws the outside gate (12) and has 55.5kgs on his back. He posted a tidy second two starts back, has the top rider aboard and has been disappointing and needs to lift.

11.50 p.m. R4 8 BURGUNDY PRINCE - App Mohamad Firdaus (a1); the second of Mark Walker's runners also cops an awkward draw in this 12-strong field — just one inside his stablemate above (11) and has 54kgs to carry. A 3YO by Burgundy, he too has been somewhat disappointing and his future racing looks likely to in Malaysia.

11.50 p.m. R4 10 LIM'S RHYTHM - Ryan Curatolo; the final of the trio in this
S$20,000 event keeps the “outside barrier” theme and he draws one further in again, at gate 10. A 3YO by Rock 'n' Pop, he has been going solid enough races and with 53.5kgs assigned, he starting to find his form and rate a top four chance in this field of 12 starters.

12.20 a.m. (Saturday) R5 7 TURF BEAUTY - Ryan Curatolo; this mare contests the Class 4 Premier 1600m on the turf short course D where she has a challenging draw (11 of 12) and carries 56kgs. In this S$60,000 affair with her awkward draw, she rates a place prospect with her chances enhanced should there be any rain.

12.55 a.m. (Saturday) R6 1 COUSTEAU - Vlad Duric; this son of Exceed and Excel has his second Singapore start tonight in the Class 4 Premier 1000m on the polytrack. He will jump from gate nine of 12 starters and has 57kgs allocated. Following a handy sixth on debut, where little went right for this 3YO after being drawn wide and subsequently enduring a tough run - he has again copped a wide gate but will be patiently ridden for luck - top four chance.

1.25 a.m. (Saturday) R7 1 VIVIANO - Vlad Duric; the reigning Champion Jockey and Trainer combine with this in form gelding in the Kranji Stakes B SW 1400m on the turf short course D. Carrying the top weight of 59.5kgs, he unfortunately too cops a wide draw (11 of 12) for the S$100,000 event. His recent starts have seen him deliver three runner up placings from his last three appearances for the Raffles Racing team - adding to his impressive Singapore prize money now standing at 
S$445,826. He's in great form and presents as a top four chance.

2.00 a.m. (Saturday) R8 1 HAYTHAM - Benny Woodnorth; two starters for Mark Walker close off the night in the Class 4 Non-Premier 1000m on the polytrack where the first of the two draws well (2) and has 57kgs to carry. A 4YO Saperavi gelding, he finished fourth two starts ago but has had a wind operation and his form around that does need to improve to see him competitive in this grade.

2.00 a.m. (Saturday) R8 7 OBSTACLES FREE - App R Zawari (a1); the last for the night draws the ace in this field of 12 runners and with the apprentice claim, drops to 54kgs. A winner four starts back, he will be more competitive when he returns to Class 5 company.