The Quail Prevails

Premiership leaders Mark Walker and Vlad Duric combined to win with Black Quail (6 g Coats Choice - Sefidi, by Bigstone) on last weekend at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore.

After claiming his third title as Singapore Champion Trainer, Walker leads the way again this year with 12 wins since 1 January and Duric heads the jockeys list with 11 wins.

Black Quail is owned by the parents of Te Akau (NZ) trainer Jamie Richards, Paul and Leanne Richards, along with Bill and Sandra Duell, and races under Natuzzi Racing Stable. Natuzzi, also by Coats Choice (Redoute's Choice), was a headline act and multiple Group One placed sprinter for trainer Paul Richards, winning 12 races and over $500,000 in prize money.

A $20,000 yearling purchase, from the draft of Berkley Stud, at Karaka, Black Quail has been a consistent performer in Singapore, winning three times for $147,000 in prize money. 

After receiving a lovely trip in third, Duric had Black Quail ready to strike at the 400m and he kept up a strong gallop after leading at the 250m to hold at bay stable-mate Atlantic Fox (Savabeel). 

It was a good effort under 58.5kgs in the $30,000 Class 5 1200 metres on turf and one that Walker said he was building towards.

“He went out favourite and it's a big drop from Class 4 to Class 5,” Walker said. “The apprentice went a bit hard last time and I gave him a freshen-up, went back to 1200m, and all the ducks lined up. I put a Norton bit on him and he seemed to respond to that better, and came back underneath Vlad (Duric) pretty quickly. 

“It's always good to get a win for Paul & Leanne and Bill & Sandra. He likes the sting out and it's pretty dry up here at the moment, but at least with race one it's heavily watered and you get the best bit of give in the track.”

Walker had just returned to Singapore, after taking in the Karaka Million race night at Ellerslie, and the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales at Karaka.

“I thought it was a great bunch of horses that we bought,” Walker said. “We didn't buy too many first season sires, which I liked, and bought by proven sires. Even though the progeny of the first season sires did take my eye a little bit, at least you know when you're buying the majority by proven sires then it takes out some of the unknown factor. 

“Between those yearlings and the ones at the Gold Coast, there's certainly a lot to be excited about in the stable for the future.

“Saturday at the Karaka Million meeting was just like a dream come true. You only dream about nights like that when everything falls into place. I've said for 20 years that I think the whole racing game is won and lost in the sale ring and the operation has been lucky that Dave (Ellis) has got an exceptional eye for a horse and his record is second to none.

“New Zealand bred horses still punch well above their weight internationally, especially in Australia. It's not easy for breeders to source high-quality stallions because they're so damn expensive, and I was pleased to see some really good types by young sires because some of our proven sires are not getting any younger.

“Savabeel's record speaks for itself, as a home-grown sire, and one of our best opportunities is turning some of these richly bred colts into Group One winners and stallions.”

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