Te Akau Singapore New Season Success

The new - and final ever - Singapore racing season started with success for Te Akau Racing at Kranji.

It's with great sadness that we enter the 2024 season in Singapore as in October the final race meeting will be held as the government moves to requisition the racecourse land for other purposes, including housing.

The Singapore Turf Club has had a proud history of over 182 years, being founded in 1842.  Unfortunately that longevity and rich, illustrious history has not been enough to save the Club, and its loyal participants - trainers, jockeys, stable staff and of course owners who has so staunchly supported racing in Singapore for many decades. The sudden decision late last year was met with disbelief and huge disappointment.

Racing for the final season kicked off on Saturday 6 January, and appropriately, Te Akau Singapore trainer Donna Logan recorded our first winner for the year.

Raced by Fortuna Racing, Trident (formerly known as Polaris in New Zealand) returned with aplomb from an injury lay-off.

A 5YO gelding by Deep Field, he resumed after a six month break and was impressive when storming home to win the S$50,000 Class 4 1200m on the poly track.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Sarwi Jamil, fresh from finishing runner-up on the Apprentice Jockey Premiership for 2023 (just two off the winner), he utilised the handy gate and with a patient ride, was able to secure clear air, going on to win comfortably by half a length.

Trident was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Blandford Lodge for $70,000, at the Karaka Yearling Sale Book 1.  He has now won four times from 14 Singapore starts, with over S$185,000 in earnings to date.