Te Akau Singapore New Year's Day Preview

The Singapore Turf Club resumes racing when the brand new 2017 season commences on 1 January - with back to back meetings at Kranji on 1 and 2 January 2017.  The 2015 Champion Singapore Trainer and Trainers' Premiership winner Te Akau's Mark Walker, who finished third on the 2016 Trainers' Premiership, has a sizeable team engaged.

Sunday 1 January -  

5.40 p.m. R1 9 Q NINE MAXIM - App CK Ng (a3); the first runner for the stable for the new season has drawn gate six of 12 runners in the Class 5 1400m on the turf short course A.  He carries a handy 52kgs with the apprentice claim and will effectively be trialling as he looks towards more distance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/5549/1

6.10 p.m. R2 7 MAJOR TOM - Oscar Chavez; two starters in this Restricted Maiden 2&3YO WFA 1200m on the turf short course A.  This, the first, debuted nicely for fourth towards the end of last season and jumps from gate eight for the 14-strong line-up. Carrying 57kgs in the S$75,000 event, he is a nice horse who the trainer thinks will be better suited by the grass today - a top four chance.

6.10 p.m. R2 12 SUCCESS COME TRUE - App R Zawari (a2); the second for the stable has drawn out (11 of 14) and with the claim, will carry 53.5kgs.  A nice enough debut for sixth near the end of the last season, he is still acclimatising and needs more experience.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/5549/2

6.40 p.m. R3 1 EATON'S GOLD - App CK Ng (a3); the first of three runners for Mark Walker in this field of twelve Class 4 horses racing over 1000m on the polytrack.  An 8YO veteran for the Fortuna team, he has drawn barrier nine and carries 55kgs with the apprentice allowance.  He has now dropped back to Class 4 company and rates a strong top four chance.

6.40 p.m. R3 2 HELLO MICHELLE - App R Zawari (a2); the second for the stable is a Minstrel Court filly who showed plenty of promise last campaign.  Resuming here from the five barrier draw, she will carry 55kgs with the claim.  She put together a super ‘finale' to the season in 2016 with back to back wins and although the 1000m could be a touch short, she rates a good place chance.

6.40 p.m. R3 8 THE COSMOS - Alan Munro; the final of the trio has drawn six and carries 54.5kgs.  He comes into this race fresh and although the distance might be a touch short, he rates a good place chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/5549/3

7.10 p.m. R4 2 BEST JADE - App R Zawari (a2); he has drawn well enough (5 of 11) for the Class 5 1200m on the polytrack where he will carry 55kgs thanks to the apprentice.  It is his first time in Class 5 company - a top four chance.

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8.10 p.m. R6 4 TURQUOISE KING - Glen Boss; in this Class 4 1400m on the turf short course A, this 6YO has drawn nicely at barrier two of 14 runners and carries 57.5kgs with the gun rider up.  He has been a touch disappointing but gets his chance today from a nice draw - top five chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/5549/6

10.25 p.m. R10 6 IKING - App CK Ng (a3); a stable duo takes its place in the Class 3 1400m on the turf short course A.  The first for Mark Walker in the S$80,000 event jumps from gate two and with the apprentice aboard, has the luxury weight of 50kgs.  Even though he is now an 8YO he is always a chance in a race like this - a top five chance.

10.25 p.m. R10 9 STORM TROOPER - Derreck David; this honest son of Tavistock is the second of the stable duo but has a tough draw (13 of 14) and will carry 52kgs.  A winner two starts ago, he would appreciate any rain and he will just have to go back and ride for luck, given the terrible draw he has copped.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/5549/10

10.55 p.m. R11 4 SHOW FAR SHOW GOOD - App R Zawari (a2); the final runner for the stable on the first day of the new season has drawn barrier six of 14 runners in a competitive Class 4 1400m on the turf short course A. Carrying 55kgs thanks to the claim, he debuted in eye catching fashion near the end of last season when finishing fifth.  He has improved since his first up run and blinkers go on - a top four chance.

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/Racing/Pages/ViewRaceCard/5549/11