The Winning Continues

Kam's Comet (Manoel Nunes) powers home from the outside to claim his debut win in Race 2 on Sunday.

A new addition to Te Akau Singapore's stable has won his Kranji debut in stirring fashion - and with a real international flavour too as the Singapore Turf Club reports:

The globalisation of racing at Kranji keeps spreading its wings with Holland the latest country to join the ranks via Kam's Comet on Sunday.

With the growing influx of different nationalities, be it owners, trainers, jockeys and even horses in the last decade or so, Singapore has been at the forefront of internationalisation of its racing what with traditional racing nations such as Australia, New Zealand, England, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Dubai, South Africa flying their flags at Kranji, and now Holland.

Known more for its windmills, poppies and famous Orange football team, Holland or the Netherlands does have a small racing industry, and Mr Cornelis van der Kam sure proved a good ambassador when he enjoyed some good old beginner's luck with his very first horse in Singapore - Kam's Comet,  winner on debut in the $65,0000 Initiation race over 1000m on Polytrack on Sunday.

Even if Mr Van der Kam was not on hand to see his charge storm home late to get the money by a neck from Divided House (Corey Brown), trainer Mark Walker was sure he would still be thrilled to bits when he finds out.

“The owner is from Holland. It's his first horse with us and I'm glad he's won first-up,” said Walker.

“He couldn't make it to the races today as he's in Malaysia to coach his son's rugby team, but I'm sure he'll be happy with that.

“I bought this horse as a trial winner in New Zealand and I recommended him to the owner.”

Extending his lead in the premiership to nine wins (23 versus Laurie Laxon's 14), Walker was at yet another winning combination with his counterpart leader on the jockey's log, Manoel Nunes. With the promise shown by horses like Kam's Comet, the pair can definitely look forward to a few more sparks in the months to come.

“This horse was a bit funny in the gates. He was a little hot and green but he sure has the ability,” said the Kiwi handler.

“John Pepe (Singapore Turf Club starter) has done a great job with him at the gates. He should be even better over more ground.”

Nunes concurred with Walker's post-race comments and predicted there were a few more visits to the winner's circle for the Danroad three-year-old.

“It's the first time I rode him. I saw his trials when Shafiq (Rizuan) rode him by dropping at the rear and I did the same thing today,” said the Brazilian jockey.

“He's still a baby and still learning what racing is all about. He needs more ground and he has a lot of ability and will win a lot more races.”