Te Akau Singapore Sunday Preview

Te Akau horses racing at Kranji racecourse in Singapore, where 2015 and 2017 Premiership winning trainer Te Akau's Mark Walker kick started 2018 last weekend - and the new season - with a winning double.

Sunday 7 January

5.50 p.m. R1 14 AUSPICIOUS ACE - TBA; has drawn six and would carry 52kgs with the apprentice aboard however sits second on the ballot - unlikely to make the field for the Class 4 1000m on the polytrack.

6.20 p.m. R2 3 ELITE KINGDOM - App R Zawari (a2); the runner-up Champion Apprentice of 2017 climbs on this 3YO for the Restricted Maiden 2&3YO WFA 1200m on the turf long course E where he draws the rank outside in the field of 12 and drops to 55kgs.  With these races now worth S$85,000 (an increase from last season), he is not aided by the awkward draw however he needs to step up.

8.55 p.m. R7 2 JUSTICE LIGHT - App R Zawari (a2); three in this Class 3 1000m on the polytrack for the stable.  The first, a 4YO by Darci Brahma who was in super winning form last preparation, including a winning hat-trick, also cops the widest alley (12 of 12) and with the claim drops to 54kgs.  Despite the nightmare draw for the 1000m, he can still get some of this is he can navigate that negative - each way chance.

8.55 p.m. R7 12 ALAMOSA EXPRESS - App CK Ng (a3); the second for Mark Walker also has a wide draw to contend with for his Singapore debut.  Raced by Kiwi connections, he had a smart record of two wins and a second from his three New Zealand appearances - his only defeat coming at the hands of the talented Honey Rider.  For this S$80,000 event, the 4YO jumps one from the outside however with the apprentice claim, will only have a featherweight 49.5kgs on his back.  He is a lovely cut of a horse that will be seen at his best of more distance.

8.55 p.m. R7 13 ELITE POWER - TBA; the third for the stable is first emergency, drawn five with 54kgs and is an unlikely starter - however if he could make the field, he would position as a strong each way chance.

9.25 p.m. R8 11 KASHAN - App CK Ng (a3); a good draw (2) in this Class 5 1600m on the polytrack for this 6YO who drops to just 48.5kgs.  Against this field of 12, he presents as a lightweight prospect.

10.30 p.m. R10 4 HAYTHAM - App N Hanafi (a4); this 4YO brings a handy form line, including a win two starts ago, in to play for the Class 4 Premier 1000m on the polytrack.  Mark Walker lines up three in this S$60,000 affair, with one looking unlikely to make the field off the ballot.  This Saperavi gelding draws best (2) and with the claim, will have only 52kgs on his back - place chance.

10.30 p.m. R11 7 BRINGER OF WAR - App CK Ng (a3); the second of Te Akau's entries in this event however cops the widest alley (12 of 12) but is another with the advantage of an apprentice up, so will carry only 52.5kgs.  A talented Burgundy filly, in her eight starts she has already earned just over $123,000 for her Singapore owners.  It is therefore a disappointment with the draw but she does possess good gate speed and still rates an each way chance.

10.30 p.m. R11 14 SUPER GENIUS - TBA; the third for the stable is currently the second emergency, draws gate four with 53.5kgs allocated but an unlikely runner.

11.00 p.m. R12 JACK'S SECRET - App N Hanafi (a4); the final starter for the stable tonight lines up in the Class 4 Premier 1400m on the turf long course E where he will bounce from barrier seven of 12 runners and with the maximum apprentice allowance, drops to a very competitive 50kgs.  With a formidable formline (22213), this son of Sakhee's Secret has earned almost $80,000 in prizemoney already and comes right in to this race with a nice claim - an each way proposition.