Te Akau Singapore Saturday Preview

Singapore's Champion Trainer of 2015 and 2017, Te Akau's Mark Walker has recorded 23 wins, 23 second and 24 third placings - the highlight thus far being the Group 2 Merlion Trophy win by Distinctive Darci.


Saturday 26 May 2018


8.15 p.m. R2 1 HIDDEN PROMISE - Vlad Duric; the stable kicks off tonight IN THIS Class 4 Non-Premier 1600m on the turf long course B where this 5YO has drawn the widest (14) and carries joint top-wright of 58 kgs with the champion rider engaged. A son of Postponed, he has the difficult draw to contend with - place chance.

9.15 p.m. R4 11 LIM'S REFORM - App CK Ng (a3); the second of Mark Walker's runners tonight lines up in the aptly named War Affair Stakes - a race named after the son of O'Reilly who was selected and purchased by Te Akau's David Ellis and then given the brilliant kick start to his illustrious career by Mark Walker. In this Class 3 1200m on the turf short course B, it is another O'Reilly who represents the stable - jumping from gate five in the field of 14, he drops to a very competitive 50.5kgs with the apprentice claim. He surprised last start when reversing his form line with a gritty win - he has trained on nicely since - each way prospect.

10.50 p.m. R7 2 DISTINCTIVE DARCI - Vlad Duric; the final runner for the stable on a relatively quiet night for the team is one of the stand-outs of the season thus far for sure. A son of Darci Brahma, he too was selected and purchased by David Ellis for $100,000 - to date he has earned $856,875 and is a bright light in Singapore racing. Tonight he contests the $1 million Group 1 Lion City Cup, the third leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, coming off the back of a stirring Group 2 Merlion Trophy victory. The event this evening is over 1200m on the turf short course B - this 4YO has drawn out a touch (9) in the capacity field of 16 and is assigned 57kgs. Leading Singapore rider Vlad Duric continues his association with the horse who will start as one of the favourites, having beaten Countofmontechristo in the Merlion last start. Th question tonight is the turf surface as he has shown his preference for the polytrack. However he is in fine form and will go a big race if he can handle the turf.