Te Akau Singapore New Year's Day Preview

It is the beginning of the new 2018 Singapore season - with Mark Walker being confirmed as the 2017 Champion Trainer with 87 wins - a massive 22-win victory and his second Premiership since re-locating to Singapore.  You will see a race named in his honour today too - bring on the new season!


Monday 1 January - first race day of the season!

6.20 p.m. R2 7 AMANZOE - Daniel Moor; on debut in Singapore for Trelawney Stud, this 3YO Stratum gelding takes his place in the Restricted Maiden 2&3YO WFA 1100m on the polytrack where he unfortunately draws one from the outside and will carry 57kgs. There has been a stakes' increase in this grade to S$85,000 and, a nice type of an individual, he rates a place chance.

6.50 p.m. R3 1 COLORADO PRINCE - App R Zawari (a2); this 4YO is on debut for the Fortuna team in the Class 4 1200m on the turf long course D where he also cops a wide draw (12 of 12) however with the apprentice claim, will carry 55kgs. A half brother to stakes' winners Darci's Dream and Windborne, this Alamosa gelding however will need to improve on his prior New Zealand form.

7.20 p.m. R4 5 OBSTACLES FREE - App N Hanafi (a4); the maximum apprentice allowance will see this Mark Walker runner drop to 53.5kgs in this Open Maiden WFA 1000m on the polytrack where he will jump from gate five of 12 starters. With an improved run for third last time presented, he presents as a place chance.

7.50 p.m. R5 11 BIG REGARDS - App CK Ng (a3); another to take advantage of an apprentice claim is this son of Darci Brahma in the Class 5 1400m on the turf long course D. He has just 49kgs on his back and with a handy draw (3 of 12), this 4YO will need to step up.

8.25 p.m. R6 1 ELITE INVINCIBLE - App R Zawari (a2); to be ridden by one of last season's top apprentices, this one-start-one win promising horse has drawn midfield (6) in the 12-strong S$80,000 Class 3 1200m on the turf long course D. Dropping to 55kgs, he was a good first up winner but faces a tougher task here - an each ay prospect.

8.55 p.m. R7 8 HIDDEN PROMISE - Craig Grylls; two stable runners for Mark Walker in the Class 3 1600m on the turf long course D - with the first being another Fortuna starter who draws to advantage (3) and will carry just 52.5kgs for the Kiwi rider. A 5YO son of Postponed, and a winner last prep, he positions as a light-weight chance.

8.55 p.m. R7 9 LIM'S REGARD - Daniel Moor; the second for the stable has likewise drawn handily (2) in this field of 12 hunting down the thick end of the S$80,000 stake. A son of Red Giant who went back to back winning last prep, he too is well weighted with just 52,5kgs and as with his stablemate, appears a light-weight chance.

9.25 p.m. R8 9 PRINCE DARCI - App CK Ng (a3); a son of Darci Brahma, whose progeny really love Singapore, this 4YO draws well (4) in the S$45,000 Class 4 Mark Walker Stakes over 1600m on the polytrack with a weight reduction to just 51kgs. A winner two starts ago, he faces 11 opponents - place chance.

10.00 p.m. R9 8 DISTINCTIVE DARCI - Craig Grylls; another of those Darci's who just loves Kranji, this highly talented horse will contest the first Group race of the new Singapore season - the S$200,000 Group 3 New Year Cup for 3YO and upwards on the polytrack over a distance of 1200m. Attracting a maximum field of 12, he has drawn well (5) and has just 52kgs assigned - an each way prospect.

10.35 p.m. R10 3 FIRST LIGHT - Craig Grylls; a winner three starts ago, this 4YO Duporth gelding draws the five gate for the Class 4 Premier 1200m on the turf long course D and carries 57kgs. He too rates as an each way proposition.

11.05 p.m. R11 1 KINGSMAN - App R Zawari (a2); the final runner for Mark Walker on the first day of the brand new season is yet another son of Darci Brahma - who too closed off the last season with a good record - two starts for a second at his Singapore debut, followed by a courageous win. For this S$80,00 Class 3 1200m on the turf long course D, he draws the carpark (12 of 12) which doesn't make his assignment easy but will carry 55kgs with the apprentice engaged. He looks to be a place chance due to the tricky draw.