Touche to Te Akau Singapore

The New Zealand Racing Desk reports that talented Thorn Park 4YO Touche (pictured as a yearling) is bound for Te Akau's Singapore stable to be trained by Mark Walker ...

Genuine four-year-old Touche will continue his career in Asia at the prompting of his former trainer.

Otaki horseman Johno Benner prepared the gelding for Chris Rutten and John Norwood and advised them to send the horse to Mark Walker, who currently heads the Singapore trainers' premiership with 36 winners.

“I suggested it to the owners - he's a get-back horse who's been racing in strong Rating 85 races here and they just go too slowly,” Benner said.

“He's been running seconds and thirds and it's hard for him to win with his racing pattern when they walk up front and sprint home.

“The races are run at a more genuine pace in Singapore and he can run for great stake money. I'm sure he'll be well and truly competitive and he'll handle the way of life up there as well. “

Touche, whose connections also race the Benner-trained Group One winner Vespa, has compiled a New Zealand record of two wins and 16 placings from his 24 appearances.

Successful on debut as a two-year-old, he was stakes' placed in the Listed Karaka Million and the Matamata Slipper and at three he was in the money in the Gr. 3 Mr Tiz Trophy and the Listed Karaka Mile.

During his latest preparation, Touche earned a cheque in five of his seven appearances and hasn't raced since he finished third in the Ashhurst Pohangina Cup at Awapuni in February.