Te Akau Singapore Sunday Preview

The 2015 Champion Singapore Trainer and Trainers' Premiership winner, the Akau's Mark Walker (who finished third on the 2016 Trainers' Premiership) has trained 57 winners and continues to dominate the Trainers' Premiership - with a 18-win lead.

Sunday 23 July

5.50 p.m. R3 5 AWATERE - Craig Grylls; after a relatively quiet Friday meeting runners' wise, the Sunday fixture starts for the team with this Charge Forward gelding who has won his last two starts. He jumps from barrier six, facing a field of 10, but with only 53.5kgs on his back for the Class 3 1200m on the polytrack. This 3YO has had a freshen up after his two good wins - a top five chance.

6.20 p.m. R4 1 ELITE CONQUEROR - Shafiq Rizuan; three runners for the stable in this Open Maiden WFA 1200m on the turf long course A and the first two are both on debut. The first is a 4YO Fastnet Rock gelding who has drawn six of the 12 starters and will carry 57.5kgs. He is a recent addition to the stable and whilst the trainer feels he will be looking more towards 1400-1600m, he rates a place
chance.

6.20 p.m. R4 8 FIRST LIGHT - Vlad Duric; likewise first time to the races for this 3YO by Duporth who has drawn further out (9) and is weighted with 57kgs for his first appearance on race day. He has been well educated in New Zealand before travelling to Singapore but does have an awkward draw to contend with for his debut - a place chance.

6.20 p.m. R4 13 POWER WARRIOR - K A'Isisuhairi (Harry Kasim); the last of the Mark Walker trio steps out at Kranji for the second time, drawing gate seven and, as the only 2YO in the field, carrying just 50kgs. He will take a lot of benefit from the race as he does need more experience at this early stage of his career.

8.00 p.m. R7 2 VIVIANO - Derreck David; the S$250,000 feature for the night sees Mark Walker saddle up two starters for the Korea Racing Association 3YO+ SW 1200m on the polytrack. This last start winner for Raffles Racing will break from barrier five in a field comprising 12 runners and he carries 57.5kgs. He is in great form and this race has been his target with its terrific prize money - a top five chance.

8.00 p.m. R7 11 DISTINCTIVE DARCI - Vlad Duric; the second starter for the stable is one of only two 3YOs contesting this quarter million dollar feature and, interestingly, both are by Darci Brahma - he the multiple champion sire of Singapore who was selected and purchased by David Ellis and trained by Mark Walker to win five times at Group 1 level and be named Champion 2YO, Champion 3YO and Champion/Miler as a 4YO. This 3YO gelding set a new race record when resuming last start (and was only a tick outside the track record) and is held in high regard. For this tough assignment he has drawn gate six and carries 57kgs. He is in great form and rates a top five chance.

8.35 p.m. R8 1 BAO SHAN MAGIC - App R Zawari (a2); currently the joint Leading Apprentice, Zawari brings the weight of this debutant down to 56.5kgs for the 4YO's first appearance in Singapore. He contests the Class 4 1100m on the polytrack, where he unfortunately cops the 12 from 12 draw. A son of Magic Albert, he was previously trained in New Zealand by Nigel Tiley and possesses ability for certain but with the tricky draw - a place chance.